Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
436. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 25 May 2022, if he will provide a reply including the acreage of lands maintained by the OPW that are designated as biodiverse areas. [42052/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works manages some of Ireland’s most extraordinary habitats for flora and fauna while facilitating visitors to enjoy these unique places. The OPW is committed to the effective management of these diverse areas. The OPW Biodiversity Action Strategy 2022-2026 sets out an ambitious action plan to mainstream biodiversity within the decision-making processes of the OPW.
The OPW participates in the expert and technical working group on the National Biodiversity Action Plan. The National Botanic Gardens share its research on invasive alien species to manage this threat to biodiversity. There is environmental management of flood risk management with in-house guidance documents in place for staff and contractors. In addition, biodiversity enhancement measures are being integrated into flood risk management operations such as the installation of bat boxes and introducing spawning gravels into rivers.
The OPW also develops innovative designs for Government buildings to limit biodiversity loss to achieve net biodiversity gain where possible. While it is not possible to put an exact acreage on projects across the portfolio, biodiversity has been at the heart of projects such as Backweston campus for State laboratories, the Clonakilty Flood relief scheme and the Swift initiative to mitigate the loss of nesting sites due to building maintenance. Across more than 750 National Monument sites, habitats are actively reviewed and conserved with many areas are left uncut to encourage biodiversity.
Within the National Historic Properties division of the Office of Public Works manages over 5,700 acres. On these sites an area of approximately 4,100 acres are managed for the purpose of promoting biodiversity and are maintained as woodland, grassland, moorland or wetland habitats where the primary focus is on promoting biodiverse-rich natural habitats.
Earlier this year, we commenced a biodiversity audit of ten of our larger national historic properties and will be undertaking further biodiversity audits in the coming years. These audits have been completed and the final reports are being compiled. This will lead to further informed guidance on biodiversity improvements at all our sites by 2023.
As part of flood risk management services, the OPW implements a series of work programmes including, flood relief schemes, arterial drainage maintenance and broader flood risk management measures such as voluntary home relocation. The OPW carries out a range of environmental assessments for the various flood risk management plans and projects including Strategic Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Assessments, Appropriate Assessments and Ecological Assessments, intertwined with public consultation and stakeholder engagement.
In terms of best practice and national guidance, OPW has developed and published the national ‘Environmental Guidance: Drainage Maintenance and Construction’, which sets a framework for the arterial drainage maintenance service to minimise potential environmental impact and maximise the environmental gain through proactive initiatives such as the river enhancement programme in collaboration with Inland Fisheries Ireland. Similarly, the maintenance of flood defence embankments have been evolved and now embody a series of environmental best practices such as, careful timing of works, mapping of the embankments to identify any protected plants, animals (e.g. otter and badger), treatment of invasive plants where they overlap with works and piloting the use of wildflower meadow seed within grass mixes to stabilise banks while also improving biodiversity for pollinators on the flood defences. In parallel, the design, planning and construction of flood relief schemes embody a major focus on environmental compliance and bring in best practice through specialist consultants combined with stakeholder input.
Overall, the OPW is committed to implementing its action plan over the coming five years to limit biodiversity loss, to contribute to the restoration of ecosystems and to playing a leadership role in biodiversity and plant conservation.
