National Parks and Wildlife Service

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2022

Tuesday, 27 September 2022

Ceisteanna (179, 180)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

179. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason that no wildlife park ranger has been assigned to County Cavan to date; and the status of same. [47072/22]

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

180. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide the details of the wildlife park rangers allocated per county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47074/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.

The Programme for Government committed to reviewing the remit, status and funding of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). That Review was completed earlier this year culminating in a Strategic Action Plan with fifteen key recommendations to renew the NPWS, establish it as an Executive Agency within a Government Department, and make it a more resilient, more effective organisation, fit to meet the challenges of the twenty first century. This Action Plan was accepted by Government and is now being implemented.

The Strategic Action Plan for the NPWS sets out an ambitious timeline for a full organisational restructuring of the NPWS, and a substantial €55 million additional investment in the organisation across three budgetary cycles (from 2023), together with the accelerated early recruitment of at least 60 key staff for critically important roles.

The NPWS Review and Strategic Action Plan set out the programme required to equip the NPWS to continue to deliver on the ambitious goals, objectives and targets. My officials are currently implementing the recommendations set out in the Review regarding the resource requirement of NPWS and we are engaged in extensive recruitment campaigns across a number of grades including Conservation Rangers.

There are in excess of 80 Conservation Rangers stationed right across the country at present, and it is my intention to further increase this number, up to 120 Rangers. We are working towards this goal as part of the above increase in resourcing being made available to NPWS. Given the enforcement roles discharged by certain staff in the National Parks and Wildlife Service, for reasons of operational security, my Department does not provide details of staffing in the manner requested.

Question No. 180 answered with Question No. 179.