Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 May 2018
43. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to designate further national parks in view of the fact that Ireland has few sq. km of national parks compared to the EU average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18007/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department manages an extensive conservation and recreational property portfolio of some 85,000 hectares. Our 6 National Parks account for circa 65,000 hectares with another almost 20,000 hectares of nature reserves and other heritage sites. The existing National Parks are managed from a conservation perspective, and attract in excess of 4 million visitors annually.
Given the resources available for capital investment within our National Parks and Nature Reserves, I am ever mindful of the need to focus on the core responsibilities relating to the management of the existing Parks and Reserves lands and have no plans at present to increase the number of National Parks in the country.
However, as part of my Department’s continuing commitment and contribution to protecting our heritage and improving our tourism and recreation product, we have been exploring ways to optimise the sustainable potential of heritage sites under our control in a way that is compatible with conservation objectives.
In this context, it should be noted that in late 2016 my Department negotiated the extension of Wicklow Mountains National Park by purchasing almost 4,900 acres of Dublin Uplands at Glenasmole in 2016 at a cost of €800,000. The purchase underpins the Government’s on-going commitment to the preservation of our natural heritage for future generations of citizens and visitors alike to enjoy.
In 2017 the entire Wild Nephin area was consolidated into the ownership of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This creates a State – Owned wilderness project of over 11,000 hectares and aims to provide increased nature conservation benefits and biodiversity as well as enhanced recreational and social benefits through the ‘re-wilding’ of the forest which adjoins the National Park. Thanks to the acquisition, we will be returning the area to a natural wilderness state.
My Department, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, launched a strategic partnership last year with a view to growing tourism revenues in the rural areas where the parks are located and increasing Ireland’s appeal as a recreation destination. Fáilte Ireland invested capital funding of €550,000 to kick-start the initiative. This initial funding focussed on the five National Parks and five Nature Reserves situated on the Wild Atlantic Way in addition to Wicklow Mountains National Park. The funding facilitated the undertaking of feasibility, scoping and design of tourism and recreational projects, building on the strengths of each location, as well as further promoting track and trails within our National Parks and Nature Reserves for walkers and tourists.
One of the outputs from the partnership with Fáilte is “Experiencing the Wild Heart of Ireland ”; an interpretative masterplan for the development of our National Parks and Reserves, and it is currently being finalised. This will prioritise and deliver significant investment at these important nature conservation, public amenity and tourism sites and underpins the objectives of Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage. The investment in our National Parks will create memorable and meaningful experiences of Ireland’s landscapes, wildlife and culture. This will be done though sensitive design and the development of authentic experiences, providing better access to nature and an increased understanding of society’s conservation responsibilities.
I recently launched “Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage”, a ten year plan setting out the Government’s objectives for capital investment in Ireland’s culture, language and heritage. A major investment programme in our National Parks is envisaged under this Plan with significant investment in visitor facilities and a strong emphasis on conservation and protection of biodiversity. Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage will support significant investment in recreational facilities including trails networks. These will be designed and delivered with a strong emphasis on conservation and allow us protect and preserve our most fragile environments and investing in our culture, language & heritage provide a well-being benefit for all.
Over the period of the plan, the following projects are planned:
- Improvement of visitor facilities at Connemara and Glenveagh National Parks;
- New walking and cycling trails at Ballycroy National Park;
- Investment in outdoor recreational facilities in Killarney National Park;
- Investment in interpretation at our Nature Reserves; and
- Enhancement of the visitor experience at Wicklow National Park.
- Strategic park enhancements
So while I have no plans to expand the Park network at present, my Department is actively ensuring the preservation, protection and presentation of the assets we already own.
