Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
336. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if multiannual funding has been put in place for the National Biodiversity Centre; and if those employed at the centre on short-term contracts have been moved to permanent contracts. [21212/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) is the operating name given to a programme established by the Heritage Council in 2006. It addresses the need identified by the Council that data on Ireland’s biodiversity be collected recorded and fully accessible to the public.
The NBDC is neither a national centre nor a body - it is a Heritage Council programme of work which is managed for the moment by a private company - Compass Informatics (a subsidiary of Tracsis, a UK based Plc.) engaged through a contractual arrangement. The staff employed there are staff of that private company. I understand that the term of existing contract is almost complete, and the Heritage Council, following a review of the structure of the NBDC, will shortly award a new contract in line with all Government procurement rules and guidelines.
The NBDC is important in the collection of biodiversity data for public policymaking and decision making. Biodiversity is a key issue for government and society and the inputs from the NBDC are important in many actions of the National Biodiversity Action Plan, 2017-2021. Biodiversity is a priority outlined in the Heritage Council’s Strategic Plan, 2018 – 2022, Heritage at the Heart. and was a recurring theme in submissions to Heritage Ireland 2030 consultation process.
Biodiversity data are key requirements for understanding our natural heritage and for tracking change in our environment and gaining a greater understanding on how we benefit from, and impact upon our ecosystems. Data is collected from a number of sources including many private individuals who record and volunteer information for free. The database now comprises over 4 million records and is acknowledged as a key resource for understanding changes in our natural heritage. It is used by a range of agencies and individuals including policy makers, academics, NGOs, educators and private individuals.
