Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 May 2022
290. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit have policies in place to install artificial structures that provide shelter and habitat space for wild species such as, but not limited to, insect hotels, bat boxes, nesting towers and beehives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23862/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a number of measures in place which can contribute to the installation of structures that provide shelter and habitat space for wild species. Some of the funded programmes encourage and promote the enhancement of biodiversity when reinstating/landscaping areas e.g. native pollinator plants. For example, applications received under CLÁR 2022 must outline if the project includes an enhancement of biodiversity.
As part of my Department’s commitment to the Climate Action Plan 2021, applications received under the Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) are required to identify, where appropriate, how a proportion of the funding sought will be used to support climate action or biodiversity measures e.g. tree/hedgerow planting on trails.
My Department administers the SuperValu TidyTowns competition and many TidyTowns groups around the country have installed artificial structures such as bat boxes and insect hotels. These structures are installed by the groups themselves in a bid to support biodiversity in their areas.
There are four agencies under my Department’s remit: the Western Development Commission; POBAL; Irish Water Safety; and the Charities Regulator. In respect of these bodies, information relating to such policies are a matter for the bodies concerned. They are independent legal entities responsible for managing their own corporate affairs and staff matters in compliance with statutory obligations and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
