Christopher O'Sullivan
Cork South-West · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“The aim of the hierarchy of the plan-making, as set out in the Act of 2024, is to improve scope for the various tiers of the planning system to more closely relate to one another, therefore providing greater clarity and consistency for all involved, from individual citizens and residents' groups to landowners and developers and ultimately…”
“My understanding is that a ten-year modernisation programme has already been undertaken by the Courts Service and significant progress has been made in improving the availability and use of court data.”
“Under the Act of 2024, the national planning framework continues to spearhead and explicate the planning agenda and sits at the pinnacle of the plan-led system and structure, whereby all tiers of planning from regional to local align with strategic objectives set out in the national planning framework.”
“The Senator has suggested that such plans would identify strategic development priorities, including settlement hierarchy, infrastructure corridors, climate adaptation measures and areas for regeneration; set out indicative phasing for major infrastructure and public investment; include spatial mapping of long-term development objectives;…”
“The Bill also facilitates the completion of the work of the Valuation Tribunal and the facility for the local authority to issue the levy demand and, where necessary, for An Coimisiún Pleanála to deal with any appeals to the demand that may arise in those existing cases currently with the tribunal.”
“As the system of plan-making in the State has just been revised and is being implemented for the first time, the introduction of another layer of plan-making could undermine the new hierarchy that was carefully arranged and agreed following extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders, including the Office of the Attorney General, an…”
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“The purpose of the emergency works scheme is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils with special needs. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation. An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and, in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening. The emergency works scheme operates on the basis of a minimal scope of works required to address the emergency situation.”
“I thank Deputy O'Gorman for raising this issue. He has painted a pretty bleak picture of the conditions at Coolmine school, which, as he stated, is quite a large school of 1,000 pupils. It is very concerning and disappointing in this day and age, when we have seen the level of investment in education and in capital works in particular, that a secondary school is experiencing that level of leakage. I can see Deputy O'Gorman is going through his copy of my response. Unfortunately, I do not have an official confirmation in terms of a grant, but hopefully I can give him an update as to where the grant stands. I can confirm that the Department of Education and Youth is in receipt of a current application from the school for funding under the emergency works scheme for roof works, namely to replace the roof due to water ingress issues.”
“The extension of the RPZ nationally is a move that I am fully supportive of and squarely behind. To bring it to a local level, half of my constituency is within an RPZ and half is not. Half of my constituency is afforded the protection of an RPZ and the 2% cap on rent increases whereas my hometown of Clonakilty and the town of Skibbereen do not have that protection. The move made today provides that security for those tenants. I welcome the comments and contributions of other Members and will listen to the debate.”
“The Government has committed to introducing a new all-of-government housing plan to follow Housing for All, underpinned by a multiannual funding commitment. The new national housing plan, which will be published in the coming months, will focus on policies and structures that set us on a sustainable and resilient footing as we seek to secure a long-term pipeline of delivery and funding to 2030 and beyond. I will return briefly to today's announcement in respect of RPZs. There is an effort and intention to try to increase the amount of investment and deliver units at scale. That will, as I have said, require private investment, private finance and international finance. That is one of the intentions of these proposals. The other intention is to provide security for renters.”
“Many of the apartments delivered last year were State led, and while this secured much-needed social, cost-rental and affordable housing, it is not a sustainable long-term solution. A stable and certain policy environment will help to attract the private investment needed and the changes to rent pressure zones, RPZs, approved today by the Government will be critical in this regard. The Minister, Deputy Browne, will address this issue in further detail later. The approach agreed seeks to strike the right balance between protecting affordability for renters on the one hand, while encouraging new investment in the residential construction sector on the other. We can both protect renters and attract sustainable long-term investment to finance new homes for rent.”
“The new targets are ambitious but provide a credible pathway to delivering the scale of housing needed. The targets are not a ceiling. We plan to revisit them in 2027 and if, reflecting demand and growing industry capacity, we need different targets for 2028 and subsequent years, we will revise them. Our immediate focus must be on achieving these targets. Key to achieving these targets will be the delivery of new apartment developments in our cities and urban cores. Much of the investment needed for such developments must come from the private sector, financed through appropriate sources of private capital, much of which will come from international sources. This capital is critical to apartment delivery, particularly for the private rental sector.”
“Despite this undoubted progress, we must acknowledge that housing remains an enormous challenge. The number of new homes coming on stream each year is far short of where it needs to be. Over the past four years, we have learned there is no silver bullet solution to the challenges we face. The State has invested unprecedented levels of public money in the delivery of housing in recent years and we must continue to do so. We must consider every lever at our disposal to increase supply. We remain steadfast in our commitment to meet the challenges head-on and ensure that all those aspiring to independence in the housing market can realise their aspiration. In the programme for Government, the Government has committed to delivering 300,000 new homes between 2025 and 2030, targeting at least 60,000 homes annually by the end of the period.”
“We have provided a €150 million fund to end long-term vacancy and dereliction in towns and cities under the urban regeneration development fund. Up to the end of quarter 1 of 2025, over 8,652 approvals had issued already and €112 million has been paid out to refurbish almost 2,100 homes. We also extended the local authority home loan to help to finance the purchase and renovation of derelict and non-habitable properties. This Government will continue to roll out the largest social and affordable housing programme in the history of the State. This is demonstrated by the record level of investment being provided for the delivery of housing in 2025, with overall capital funding of almost €6.8 billion now available. The capital provision for 2025 is supplemented by a further €1.65 billion in current funding to address housing need.”
“Nearly 13,000 affordable housing supports were delivered in 2024 by approved housing bodies, local authorities and the Land Development Agency, alongside schemes such as the first home scheme and the vacant property refurbishment grant. Over 7,100 affordable solutions were delivered in 2024. This is the highest yearly delivery to date, exceeding the year's target of 6,400. On 13 May, the Government approved an additional €30 million in State commitment to the first home scheme, bringing the total State commitment for the scheme to €370 million. Under the scheme, more than 6,700 buyers have been approved to date and more than 3,300 homes were bought using the scheme to the end of quarter 1 of 2025. The Government is extremely focused on tackling vacancy and dereliction.”
“This, in particular, brings into stark focus the enormous task of securing enough housing to meet our needs. Over 32,500 social homes were added to the social housing stock between 2022 and 2024 under Housing for All. There is also a strong pipeline with over 24,000 social homes at all stages of design and build, which will be delivered over the coming years. Housing for All also provided for the introduction of a number of new affordable housing supports, which have allowed the delivery of significant numbers of affordable homes through both new builds and homes brought back into use. These supports, including cost rental, are starting to deliver at scale and this momentum will continue as the pipeline is developed.”
“It is important to reflect on the progress we have made in recent years under Housing for All. It is easy to forget that in 2012 and 2013 we delivered less than 5,000 new homes each year. By 2020 and 2021, this had increased to 20,500 new-build homes added to the national housing stock per year. In 2022 and 2023, an undeniably significant step change in delivery was achieved, with almost 30,000 and over 32,500 houses delivered respectively, exceeding the Housing for All targets. More than 92,000 new homes were built from 2022 to 2024, an annual average of almost 31,000. Despite the upward trajectory of supply through this period, there have been some recent disappointments, most notably the dip in the number of new homes built last year.”
“I echo the Minister of State's sentiments. The Opposition has been calling for a debate on housing for a while and has accused the Government of avoiding and not having the debate. When we eventually have it, one Opposition Member graces the benches. Well done, Deputy Ó Broin. There is no one here from the Social Democrats or the Labour Party. That is disappointing. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to address the House on housing matters. As highlighted by the Minister of State, the Government's clear focus is on building new homes, including social and affordable housing, particularly through new build projects delivered by local authorities, approved housing bodies and the Land Development Agency. Our goal remains a housing system that truly serves the needs of our people.”
“There are limits under that scheme with regard to the level of income someone earns but certainly, that seems to me to be the appropriate scheme. I appreciate the frustration and the Senator's concern for that particular case, but that option is there and I would urge them to explore that.”
“I thank Senator Duffy. The Department obviously cannot get into the nitty-gritty of individual cases but from what he has described, the cost-rental tenant in situ scheme is the option in situations like these. Where someone is not in receipt of HAP or is not approved for social housing, the regular tenant in situ scheme does not allow for the local authority to purchase that house but the option is there for approved housing bodies. It is a less popular and less well-known scheme but where someone fits outside that income limit, that is the scheme for them, as long as the landlord is in a position to sell and is willing to sell, and as long as the approved housing body fitd all the criteria. For me, in those situations, that is the appropriate scheme. The income levels are different.”
“The option of the cost-rental tenant in situ scheme, which I mentioned, should also be explored by any affected households. The scheme, which was also introduced in 2023, is targeted at tenants in private rental homes who are not in receipt of social housing supports but are at risk of homelessness because a landlord has served a valid notice of termination due to an intention to sell the property. The local authority conducts the initial assessment for eligibility of the tenant for this scheme and refers potential cases to the Housing Agency, which is responsible for administering and managing the scheme on behalf of the Department. That cost-rental tenant in situ option is there. I can elaborate a bit more in my response later.”
“However, prioritising households should not be interpreted as excluding any household and the final decision regarding each individual acquisition rests, as it should, with the local authority. The tenant in situ acquisitions programme was introduced by way of Government decision in 2023. The programme for Government commits to continuing to have tenant in situ acquisitions as an option for local authorities. The eligibility criteria do not extend to short-term or temporary income support measures such as rent supplement. Where an individual or a household has a long-term housing need, they can apply to the local authority for social housing support, which may include the housing assistance payment. This would, therefore, render them ineligible for the tenant in situ scheme.”
“Despite some coverage to the contrary, the eligibility criteria for tenant in situ acquisitions in 2025 is not overly restrictive. It is largely the same as the guidance issued in June 2024 and not substantially different from what was required in 2023. We have asked local authorities, as we did in previous years, to ensure that they are responding to a valid notice of termination where there is a real risk of homelessness, and to examine all options for the ongoing accommodation of the household before progressing, as a last resort, with an acquisition. We have also asked that local authorities give priority to families with children, older persons or people with a disability who are at serious risk of homelessness.”
“While the clear focus of the Government must remain on increasing the supply of new-build social and affordable homes, a targeted social housing acquisition programme has been, and will continue to be, an important policy response to priority needs. The social housing acquisitions circular that recently issued to local authorities sets out the revised arrangements for second-hand social housing acquisitions in 2025. Under the revised arrangements for second-hand acquisitions in 2025, local authorities will receive a capital funding allocation for the acquisition of homes for the following priority categories: tenant in situ; elderly and disabled persons; exits from homelessness; and buy-and-renew acquisitions that tackle vacancy.”
“Unfortunately, it does not apply to short-term rent supplements. That will continue to be the case but there is another scheme, the cost-rental tenant in situ scheme, that applies for those in tenancies who have received an eviction notice but are not within the parameters or the income limits for social housing or the housing assistance payment. That is important to say. I will outline that here. The Department is providing €325 million in 2025 for local authorities to buy second-hand properties, with a particular focus on the tenant in situ, where tenants in receipt of social housing support, such as the housing assistance payment or the rental accommodation scheme, had received a notice of termination.”
“I thank the Deputy for his kind words. I welcome the schoolchildren in the Gallery. I am not sure where they are from but they are welcome to the Seanad Chamber. I hope they are enjoying the day. I appreciate the opportunity to respond to the very serious matter Senator Duffy has raised. The tenant in situ scheme has benefited people in Mayo and the Senator has represented many constituents in that regard. It has been a very good solution in terms of people avoiding homelessness. We are continuing the scheme but, obviously, the real solution to avoid homelessness and ensure secure tenure is increasing housing supply. That is the number one goal one of the Government. However, the tenant in situ scheme is a very effective scheme and it is continuing. It is important to make that point.”
“The current position is that it would be very difficult to do so but I will see if there is something that can be done. I thank the Deputy again for raising this matter. The best way we can reduce rents and get people into homes is through the provision of housing. That is key, as the Deputy noted.”
“As such, any changes to the prescribed rent limits in any given local authority can only be taken after detailed and comprehensive consideration. If amendments are proposed to the caps on a county-by-county basis, it would require further research similar to what was done in collaboration with the Department of Social Protection. I accept Deputy Brennan's point that there are discrepancies within a close geographical area, and that in one case the difference is €600. I reiterate that 35% is a large margin of discretion. There is considerable flexibility within that and I urge local authorities to use it. On the bigger question as to whether rent limits for HAP can be set outside of a county-by-county basis, which is the way we assess them at the moment, I will bring that back to the Department.”
“It is a matter for each local authority to determine what level of support is appropriate for each HAP tenancy within its area, including whether and to what extent the application of a discretionary increase above rent limits is warranted. In doing so, it is the responsibility of the local authority to ensure that tenancies are sustainable. They are advised not to provide HAP support to tenancies where the household would not be in a position to meet the rental cost sought. I am very conscious of the pressures in the private rental market and my Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. My Department is conscious that the scheme has the potential to have a detrimental inflationary impact on the wider rental market, including for those households not receiving HAP support.”
“There is still scope for Wicklow County Council to avail of that discretion more regularly and reduce the gap between the two counties. However, I take the Deputy's point on board. There are discrepancies between areas that are a couple of miles apart. I will certainly have the Department look at this but, as is clear from my response, there is a limit to what we can do.”
“It is not feasible to extend the established rent limits of one local authority area into bordering areas. However, where appropriate, the HAP scheme allows for interauthority movement to facilitate the movement of HAP households from one local authority area to another in cases where a tenant wishes to access rented accommodation, with HAP support, in another local authority area, subject to certain conditions. As the Deputy can see, there is a level of discretion available and this was reflected in what he said. Wexford County Council has availed of that discretion to a greater extent. In 64% of cases, it has used that discretion whereas in Wicklow, the figure is only 48%. That reflects the Deputy's point about a discrepancy between the two counties.”
“Up to 50% discretion can be provided in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region. It is a matter for the local authority to determine whether, and to what extent, the application of the flexibility is warranted. At the end of quarter 4 2024, the number of households being supported by HAP in Wicklow County Council was 1,352 and in Wexford County Council it was 1,108. In Wicklow, 48% of households were benefiting from additional flexibility and were receiving an average discretionary increase above rent limits of just over 22%. In Wexford, there was more use of the discretionary increase available to the local authority, with an average of 64% of households benefiting from the additional flexibility, at an average rate of discretionary payment of almost 27%.”
“In reviewing rent limits, the Department worked closely with the Department of Social Protection and monitored data gathered from the Residential Tenancies Board and the HAP shared services centre. In prescribing these limits, household size and prevailing rents in the relevant areas are taken into consideration. I guess that is done on a county-wide basis. The issue the Deputy raised is more localised as some counties are big and there are different population sizes in each county. Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment above the prescribed maximum rent limit. In July 2022, this discretion level was increased to 35% and local authorities were given the option to extend the couple’s rate to single person households.”
“Once a household is deemed eligible for social housing support, it is a matter for the local authority to examine the suite of social housing supports available, including the housing assistance payment scheme, to determine the most appropriate form of social housing support for that household in the administrative area of that local authority. A key principle of the housing assistance payment is that eligible households source their own accommodation in the private rented market. The accommodation should be within the prescribed maximum HAP rent limits, which are based on household size and the rental market within the area concerned. Maximum rent limits for HAP were set for each housing authority area in 2016. This is where the current limits come from. This was done in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection.”
“I thank Deputy Brennan for raising this important issue. He is in an unusual position in that he is a TD who represents two different counties in a new constituency. I wish him the best of luck and congratulate him on his election. The Deputy highlighted an issue with regard to discrepancies between different counties. These schemes are constantly under review and we will certainly consider amending them, if necessary, perhaps at a municipal district level. If a degree of flexibility is needed, I will ask the Department to see if there is anything that can be done. I will explain how we arrived at the limits.”
“I get the need for urgency. The fact that the Senator has raised the matter will further emphasise the urgency. I have been assured that in recent days officials from both Departments have been in touch on progressing this matter. Yes, it can and should be done quickly, and it is very important that it is. I stress that the option to avail of €2,500 is still open to councillors. If they do so, it does not preclude them from availing of further funds if the grant amount is increased under the new proposals. I cannot go into details on the proposal and what is being discussed, for obvious reasons, but we want to see something that is enhanced and that removes the obstacles that are evidenced by such a low uptake. We will come back as soon as we have any indication that progress has been made in this regard.”
“We need to encourage more people in to politics. There is, anecdotally at least, an increase in harassment incidents and safety concerns for councillors and local representatives. The Senator has always been an advocate on this issue. I will work with the relevant Ministers to make sure we get this measure introduced as soon as possible.”
“This was submitted by my Department to the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, whose approval is required for any revision to the scheme. Any revision to the allowance would also need to be introduced by the making of ministerial regulations under section 142 of the Local Government Act 2001, countersigned by the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. I understand that the business case is being considered by that Department and that there will be further engagement with my Department on this proposal shortly. There is an urgency around this. The Senator will see in the response that there is also a small legislative requirement. I do not think that will be too burdensome or will slow the process too much. The Senator's point is well made.”
“Challenges reported by local authorities in relation to the uptake and administration of the scheme included the requirement of councillors to meet half the costs of the works as well as, in some areas, delays in obtaining a report by a crime prevention officer. Engagement with the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, and LAMA on this issue indicated that the biggest obstacles to the scheme’s uptake is the requirement of councillors to contribute 50% of the cost of the expenditure. They also indicated that the €2,500 maximum was insufficient to meet the needs of all councillors. On foot of this review, my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, recently approved a business case for a revised allowance that reflects the feedback received.”
“Under the current scheme, elected members can claim a maximum of €2,500 or 50%, whichever is the lesser, of the cost of home-security measures that have been recommended in a report made by their local crime prevention officer. In light of a recommendation in the report of the task force on safe participation in political life to review the security allowance for councillors, my Department surveyed the 31 local authorities to ascertain the uptake of the allowance by councillors, and to identify any obstacles to this. The findings are pretty stark, as the Senator alluded to. It showed that only 23 of the 949 councillors availed of the allowance in 2024.”
“Local government plays an important role in the life of the nation. It is responsible for the delivery of a wide range of services. Elected councils provide a vital forum for the democratic representation of local communities. All elected representatives should be free to carry out their functions and representational role without fear of harassment or intimidation. Heightened adversarial attitudes to elected representatives are corrosive to democratic participation. They risk deterring potential new candidates and inducing existing representatives to withdraw from political life. The Senator touched on this when he mentioned encouraging new people in to politics. It is in this context that a security allowance for councillors was introduced in September 2023.”
“I thank Senators Boyhan and Ahearn for their kind words of condolence on the death of my sister. They are very much appreciated. In fairness to Senator Ahearn, he has always been an advocate for councillors' needs across Ireland. We know how challenging it is being a councillor. Many councillors are now full time because of the seriousness of the work and the amount of work they have to do. Therefore, making allowances for security measures can be quite challenging in terms of the existing supports. Clearly there is a recognition that the scheme that was introduced is not enough. That is clear from the take-up of the scheme, which I will outline shortly. I understand the Minister of State, Deputy Cummins, and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, recognise that. We will get movement on this as soon as possible.”
“At this time of year, if people spend time there and give it time, they will see the most amazing things. Basking sharks can be seen at this time of year, and dolphins. There is a chance people could see one of the great whales, finback whales or humpback whales. Give nature a chance. The more people immerse themselves in nature, the more they will appreciate it and the more of us who appreciate nature, the better the outcomes for nature. Happy biodiversity week.”
“We can get benefits from nature so I suggest that this week and every week from now, people get a pair of binoculars and head to their local estuary to spend a couple of hours trying to find waders or tell the difference between a curlew and a whimbrel, or head to their local patch of woodland to listen to the dawn chorus. They do not have to try to identify the different species; they can just let it wash over them and they will get serious enjoyment out of it. Perhaps they could join a local biodiversity group or go kicksampling in a stream where they will find the incredible monsters that live beneath the surface. It is rewarding. There are many things we could do, such as heading to a headland in County Cork, for example. That would be a good place to start.”
“One of my favourite parts of my role has been visiting schools, talking to children and listening to their passion and ideas for nature. We need to nurture that and make sure the future generation is our generation of ecologists who look after nature. This is National Biodiversity Week, but as far as I am concerned, every week should be biodiversity week. I suggest that for people's sanity and mental health they spend two hours in nature. It will be good for them. That message could go to a lot of people in this House. It is a stressful job. We know that as TDs. If Deputies spend two hours in nature, they will not regret it. That goes for the general public as well. Nature is good for us.”
“We are seeing their numbers increase significantly in some areas because of this collaboration. It is a model for how Ireland should move forward to benefit nature. At the Annagh Marsh reserve in County Mayo, a simple measure, predator-proof fencing, has absolutely transformed the area. A marsh formerly depleted of any biodiversity is now bustling with wildlife and buzzing with insects. You cannot hear yourself for the sound of skylarks singing at this time of year. On every post, there is a snipe displaying. It is an extraordinary wildlife experience and it has happened through these simple measures, including collaboration. We can do this. There is a way forward and young people are leading the way. Their voices are powerful.”
“It can be absolutely incredible, particularly for the LIFE projects I mentioned earlier, such as the Burren LIFE programme, the LIFE on machair project or the corncrake LIFE project, which is an extraordinary example of how farmers and conservationists can work together with amazing results. Corncrake LIFE was a difficult journey at the start. There was distrust between the conservationists and the farmers. It was a frosty relationship, but now we are the stage where those same farmers and conservationists are having cups of tea in the farmers' kitchens and depending on one another. They need one another. It has not only resulted in a good outcome for farmers with them benefiting financially, but we are seeing it have a benefit for an extraordinary bird, the corncrake, that has such an important place in Ireland's history.”
“We have to listen so that we come up with a plan that is beneficial to biodiversity, species and habitats, but is also right for the people. In doing that we will remove any misinformation. Already, we are seeing some of that misinformation emerge, especially in the area of rewetting. Some people would have you believe that all farmers in Ireland will have to rewet their land. That is absolutely not the case. Rewetting, under the nature restoration plan, will be done on State-owned land and any rewetting outside State-owned land will be done on a completely voluntary basis and there will be incentives. That has to be clear. I have seen first hand the results of collaboration between farmers and conservationists.”
“I am under no illusion. We have not solved the biodiversity crisis. Species are still in trouble. Habitats are still under threat and many trends are going the wrong way. However, we have an opportunity to fix that. We are putting together a nature restoration plan and we should use it as an opportunity first and foremost to improve outcomes for biodiversity, but it should also be done in a collaborative way. We need to include landowners, farmers, stakeholders and conservationists. Collaboration is the key. That collaboration is why we have set up the biodiversity council, chaired by Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, which has those stakeholders, including conservationists, NGOs and farmers. It will not be a top-down approach. We need to do this from the grassroots. It has to be bottom-up.”
“The valuable work carried out within our national parks and on our nature reserves supports biodiversity not only through direct conservation, but also by offering educational opportunities and increasing public access to nature. As Minister of State, I have seen at first hand the extraordinary work being done. Farmers are restoring hedgerows, communities are planting for pollinators, landowners are rewetting bogs and schools are instilling a sense of environmental responsibility in our children. These local actions are vital but they must be matched by strong national policy, sustained investment and effective enforcement. The national biodiversity action plan gives us a roadmap, but it will take all of us, across every sector and every community, to ensure that Ireland's natural heritage not only survives but thrives.”
“Too often, biodiversity is seen as something external, separate from human life, but the truth is clear. Our choices directly affect the health of ecosystems. The loss of biodiversity does not just harm other species; it undermines our well-being, our food security and our resilience in the face of climate change. This Department remains firmly committed to halting biodiversity loss and reversing it. Our efforts must be rooted in science, informed by local knowledge and supported by community energy. We continue to support LIFE projects at European level, which have delivered significant positive outcomes across Ireland. At the same time, it is both fitting and essential for this Government to continue to invest in national projects, particularly those led by the NPWS.”
“This day is also a chance to acknowledge the incredible restoration work happening across Ireland. For example, raised and blanket bogs are being actively restored through various projects. Old oak woodlands are being cleared of invasive species like cherry laurel in the Glen of the Downs SAC in County Wicklow. There is also the clearing of rhododendron at Glenveagh National Park in County Donegal, which is at such an extent that we are starting to see the amazing regeneration and new growth of native species. I am pleased to highlight some of the fantastic events happening in County Cork during National Biodiversity Week, including a citizen science workshop at the Lifetime Lab and a bat walk in Blarney on 23 May. There will be marine biodiversity sessions at Fountainstown beach and birdwatching at the Lough in Cork city on 24 May.”
“It requires long-term commitment, sound planning, investment and sustained action. Our efforts are grounded in science, but must also be rooted in local knowledge and lived experience. The best outcomes are achieved when scientific expertise, traditional practices and community insight work together. Today also marks Natura 2000 Day, when Ireland joins the EU in celebrating the world’s largest network of protected sites - over 27,000 across Europe, covering nearly 20% of land and 10% of marine areas. To celebrate, the NPWS is hosting a series of events across the country, including at St. Gobnet’s Wood SAC in County Cork on 22 and 23 May. Natura 2000 sites highlight some of the finest examples of the habitats and species we are committed to protecting.”
“These achievements offer a powerful snapshot of the heritage division’s enduring commitment to safeguarding biodiversity and restoring nature across Ireland. Under the leadership of the Minister, Deputy Browne, our Department is supporting this work through strong policy, targeted funding and clear direction. We in government cannot do this alone. Real, lasting progress depends on strong partnerships with communities, farmers, local authorities, schools, youth organisations, NGOs and the private sector. A whole-of-society approach is essential if we are to meet our targets for 2030 and beyond. As someone newly appointed to this role, I have been encouraged by what I have seen but I am also realistic about the scale of the work ahead. Biodiversity loss cannot be reversed overnight.”
“We are developing Ireland's nature restoration plan under the new EU Nature Restoration Law. Cross-border work continues through the shared island and PEACEPLUS initiatives. In addition, our built and archaeological heritage, including vernacular buildings, castle ruins, dry stone walls and earthworks, play an important role in the protection of biodiversity. Increasingly we are experiencing the co-benefits of measures and schemes which lead to improved awareness, care and protection of our built and archaeological heritage while also delivering significant benefits for biodiversity, such as through our community monuments fund, ACRES and farming community-led schemes. Farmers as generational custodians of our remarkable heritage landscape need to be acknowledged and fully supported in this regard.”
“The local biodiversity action fund, LBAF, operated by the NPWS, has delivered nearly €11 million to local authorities since 2018, supporting 262 projects across 31 local authorities this year alone. Most local authorities now have a biodiversity officer, thanks to the Heritage Council's rollout of the biodiversity officer programme. We have also launched biodiversity duty guidelines to help public bodies to embed biodiversity into everyday decision making. We are seeing powerful partnerships emerge. Coillte and the NPWS have signed an memorandum of understanding for greater collaboration on nature projects. Bord na Móna continues peatland rehabilitation, with over 19,000 of 33,000 ha restored. The Business for Biodiversity platform is fostering private sector engagement.”