Vol. 558 No. 3
205 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his plans to establish a national biological records centre; and the time frame in place to ensure wildlife officers are appointed to the many vacancies which, for example, has seen all Dublin city and county with no wildlife officer to protect important habitats or enforce wildlife legislation regarding imports of exotic animals. [24112/02]
Certain biological records at national level are maintained by Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department. The Heritage Council has made a proposal for the establishment of a separate national biological record centre and this is under consideration.
One of two conservation ranger posts for the Dublin area is vacant at the moment as the existing ranger is operating in an acting supervisory post. The area is being covered by supervisory staff with assistance from conservation rangers in adjoining areas.
Given the lapse of time since the last panel to recruit conservation rangers was established in 1999 inevitably there have been difficulties in attracting candidates from that panel. Preparations are in hand to establish a new panel for such appointments which should allow vacancies to be filled more quickly in the future.
