Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1257. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ecologists recruited to the forestry division of his Department in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37625/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to ensure that forestry licenses granted are fully compliant with the Appropriate Assessment process, my Department has invested in additional ecology resources since 2019.
On the 1st of January 2021 there were eight ecologists directly employed by my Department in the Forestry Inspectorate Division. In February 2021 an additional one ecologist was employed, bringing the total in 2021 to nine. No ecologists were recruited in 2022 or to date in 2023.
One ecologist resigned from their position in May 2023, so the current total of ecologists directly employed by my Department in the Forestry Inspectorate Division is eight.
My Department also employs contract ecologists. In 2021 the figure was 18 and currently there are 22 contract FTE ecologists working on forestry licences and forestry schemes.
