Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 April 2022
206. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current number of staff who have been recruited for the wildlife crime unit; when the staff will be in place; the roles and locations of the staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21506/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware from previous replies on this matter, the function of the enhanced Wildlife Crime Unit (soon to be known as Wildlife Crime Operations) is to support the law enforcement work that has been, and continues to be done by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Regional staff.
Some 110 staff are working across all regions of the country to address wildlife crime. These include District Conservation Officers and Conservation Rangers, supported by Regional Managers and Divisional Managers. Some 86 Conservation Rangers are stationed across the country, and it is my intention to further increase ranger numbers up to 120. My Department is working towards this goal as part of an increase in resourcing being made available to NPWS.
The work being carried out by NPWS saw 21 prosecutions successfully closed in 2021. 15 more have been successfully closed to date in 2022, and a further 48 are on hand at present.
NPWS works closely with colleagues in An Garda Síochána and other enforcement agencies such as the Customs Division of the Revenue Commissioners to address wildlife crime. I look forward to developing and building on these partnerships to increase pressure on those involved in wildlife crime.
