Written Answers Nos. 661-680
661. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to list, in tabular form, the community and communal facilities funding options available for new mixed tenure housing developments. [14642/24]
View answerWhen referring to mixed tenure housing developments, I assume that the question refers to housing developments led by either local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies, with a tenure mix of social and cost rental and/or affordable purchase.
There are a number of funding streams for the delivery of social and affordable housing developments, each with its own approval process:
• Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) – Local Authorities social housing.
• Payment & Availability Agreements coupled with Capital Advance Leasing Facility (P&A/CALF) – AHBs social housing.
• Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) – AHB social housing.
• Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) – Local Authority delivery of affordable purchase and cost rental.
• Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) – AHB cost rental.
In line with Quality Housing for Sustainable Communities (found at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/24d9e-quality-housing-for-sustainable-communities-design-guidelines/), when considering any new development, attention must be given to the availability of key services and amenities, such as shops, schools (including pre-school facilities), churches, parks and playing fields, community meeting places, recreation and leisure facilities. Many new schemes will be relatively small and located within existing settlements where such facilities already exist.
For larger proposals, schemes that form part of larger developments or strategic framework plans and for individual schemes, the provision of services and amenities either within or adjacent to the site of a proposed scheme may need to be considered. Sources of funding for the capital cost and the management and maintenance costs of such facilities should be established at the early planning stage of the project.
The requirement for communal and community facilities will be determined by the scale of the development, the dwelling mix and the needs of intended residents.
For example, in apartment schemes, as outlined in Sustainable Urban Housing Design Standards for New Apartments: Guidelines for Planning Authorities (2022) (found at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/16edd-sustainable-urban-housing-design-standards-for-new-apartments-guidelines-for-planning-authorities-2022/), communal rooms may be provided, particularly in some larger developments, such as communal laundry facilities or communal spaces for bicycle parking and storage as well as communal amenity spaces, such as a recreational play area for children. Other communal facilities may include community or meeting rooms or a management/maintenance office on-site.
Funding may be available for communal facilities required as a condition of planning permission for a mixed tenure development, on the basis of assessment and approval by the Department, on an apportioned basis by tenure type and subject to specific conditions of the funding stream.
Additional community facilities may be included to support the establishment and building of new communities within new mixed tenure housing developments, where practical and compatible with the needs of occupants and not already reasonably catered for in the immediate vicinity of the development.
Depending on the funding stream, capital funding for additional community facilities can be supported covering the cost of shell and core construction only.
In addition to specific housing funding streams, the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) managed by my Department is available to support unlocking residential and mixed-use development to be delivered within the existing built-up footprints of our cities and large towns.
In tandem with the funding sources listed below from my Department, there exists a number of funding programmes from other government departments and agencies such as those provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development including:
• Community Centres Investment Fund (CCIF)
• Libraries Capital Programme
• Local Enhancement Programme (LEP).
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Funding for Community and Communal Facilities
|
- |
Social Housing |
Cost Rental |
|
Funding Sources |
· SHIP – LA · CALF/P&A – AHB subject to standard limits. · Communal Facilities Grants Scheme funded through the National Lottery - AHB |
AHF – LA CREL – AHB |
Funding may be available for communal facilities required as a condition of planning permission for a mixed tenure development, on the basis of assessment and approval by the Department, on an apportioned basis by tenure type and subject to specific conditions of the funding stream.
662. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the derelict sites levies levied, collected, owed and cumulatively owed and the number of sites on their register on 31 December 2023 and at current date, by local authority, in tabular form. [14647/24]
View answerLocal Authorities are required to submit an annual return to my Department providing information on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 in their functional areas. The derelict sites returns are usually collected in Q2 of the following year. However, in recent years this has been brought forward. My Department recently issued Circular Letter PL 01/2024 requesting the submission of returns on the operation of the Derelict Sites Act in 2023. The returns received are currently being reviewed and it is expected that they will be finalised shortly.
663. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether there is any consideration being given to waiving rates for charity shops given the increasing cost of doing business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14661/24]
View answerLocal authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation list prepared by Tailte Éireann under the Valuation Acts 2001 to 2022. Tailte Éireann has independent responsibility for all valuation matters, except appeals of valuation procedures set out under the Valuation Acts which come under the remit of an independent Valuation Tribunal.
The Valuation Acts provide that certain categories of properties are not rateable. Details of these properties are set out in Schedule 4 of the Acts and include a property occupied by a charity exclusively for charitable purposes and otherwise than for private profit. This exemption does not include retail activity.
As with all local charges, the invoicing and collection of due amounts is a matter for the local authority concerned to manage in the light of prevailing local circumstances and in accordance with normal credit control procedures. My Department encourages local authorities to engage with ratepayers and understands the difficulty ratepayers can face. In practice, it is understood that most local authorities promote the use of direct debit payment facilities and work with businesses to put in place flexible payment options that reflect capacity to pay.
The Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act 2019 provides for new rates vacancy abatement and rates waiver schemes, to be decided by local authority members in order to promote national and/or local policy objectives. My Department is currently preparing supporting regulations and working with local authorities on implementation with a view to commencing these provisions. These new provisions will add to the suite of options already available to local authorities to support local businesses and ratepayers. The approval of these schemes will be a reserved function of the elected members. Regulations in respect of rates waiver schemes are expected to be made in time for waiver schemes to be adopted by local authorities in their 2025 budgets.
The Increased Cost of Business Grant (ICOB) was a measure announced as part of the Budget 2024 package. This scheme is the responsibility of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. This one-time grant, amounting to €257 million, will be disbursed to small and medium-sized businesses in 2024. This grant is intended as a one-time financial aid to help businesses with increased costs associated with running a business.
664. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in relation to his commitment to support a referendum enshrining public ownership of our water services in the Constitution, he will confirm when the Government will announce a date for the water referendum (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14665/24]
View answerPublic ownership is a core principle governing the development of water services and the Government has given its full commitment to holding a referendum on ownership of water services. It should also be noted that the establishment of Uisce Éireann in public ownership is already firmly secured under the Water Services Acts 2007 to 2022.
I have previously committed to bringing forward a referendum proposal on public ownership of water services for consideration by Government in conjunction with the anticipated recommendation of a proposed referendum on housing.
The Housing Commission has submitted its report and recommendations to me regarding a proposed constitutional amendment. In reaching its conclusions, the Commission examined inter alia the range of complex constitutional questions arising. It undertook a comprehensive consultation, researched international experience, evaluated various proposed wordings and considered other critical factors involved with introducing an amendment to the Constitution. I am currently considering the Commission's comprehensive analysis and report, together with the next steps in the process, and I expect to bring these to Government in the not too distant future.
I intend to take a similar approach to the proposed referendum on water ownership.
In this way, it is intended that definitive proposals, including next steps and timelines, for referendums on water and housing will be considered by Government in due course.
666. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many bird of prey licences were issued for taking birds from the wild from 2014 to date; and the breakdown of taking birds from the wild licences for each of those years, by species, gender and by location, in tabular form. [14717/24]
View answerThe information is set out in the following table.
|
- |
Kestrel Wild Take |
Kestrel Wild Take |
Sparrow Hawk Wild Take |
Sparrow Hawk Wild Take |
Sparrow hawk Location |
Peregrine Wild Take |
Peregrine Wild Take |
Peregrine Location |
|
Year |
Licences Issued |
Licences Fulfilled |
Licences Issued |
Licences Fulfilled |
Licences Issued |
Licences Fulfilled |
||
|
2023 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
n/a |
2 |
1 x F |
Meath |
|
2022 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
n/a |
2 |
2 x F |
Longford & Clare |
|
2021 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
n/a |
1 |
1 F |
Longford |
|
2020* |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
n/a |
0 |
0 |
n/a |
|
2019 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
n/a |
4 |
4 (3F;1M) |
Laois;2 x Kilkenny, Longford |
|
2018 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 x F |
Kildare |
5 |
4 (3F;1M) |
Waterford, Cork,Laois, Longford |
|
2017 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 x F |
Waterford |
7 |
3 (2F:1M) |
Longford, Kildare, Laois |
|
2016 |
1 |
0 |
11 |
1 x F |
Mayo |
3 |
2 x F |
Laois, Wexford |
|
2015 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
2 (1F;1M) |
Cork & Louth |
1 |
1 x F |
Laois |
|
2014 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
2 x F |
Clare & Wexford |
4 |
4 (2F;2M) |
2 x Kilkenny, Tipperary (2 x Orphan Chicks) |
|
Totals |
2 |
0 |
24 |
7 |
N/A |
29 |
22 |
N/A |
*20*2020 – No Wild Take took place due to Covid-19 restrictions
669. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the prospect of implementing a rent transparency register in the private rental sector which he supported during the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018 in 2019; if his Department has further investigated the GDPR implications of a rent transparency register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14778/24]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) Rent Index is designed to measure developments in rental prices faced by those taking up new tenancies in the private rental sector and from Q2 2023 utilising Annual Registration data, existing tenancy rent price developments.
The addition of the Existing Tenancies Index beginning in the Q2 2023 index, significantly strengthens the ability to understand the Private Rental Sector overall, which has gone through considerable change in recent years. The Rent Index can now tell us about market rents for new tenancies and the rents of sitting tenants. It also allows us gauge for first time how rents are changing for the majority of tenants, i.e. sitting tenants.
The Rent Index report is the most accurate and authoritative rent report of its kind on the private rental sector in Ireland. Compared to other market monitoring reports produced for the Irish rental sector, the RTB/ESRI Rent Index has the considerable benefit of being based on regulatory data covering all new tenancy registrations regardless of how the property was advertised for rent.
Section 151(2A) of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004–2022 (RTA) provides that I, as the Minister, shall, not earlier than 12 months and not later than 15 months after the commencement of section 22 of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019, request the RTB to provide me with such information in relation to prevailing rent levels in the private rented sector (i.e. excluding lettings by Approved Housing Bodies but including lettings of Student Specific Accommodation) within 3 months of the request (i.e. on or before 2 October 2023). The report was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 22 December 2023 and may be found here:
opac.oireachtas.ie/Data/Library3/Documents%20Laid/2023/pdf/HLGHdoclaid221223_113808.pdf
Rent transparency, in compliance with existing legislation, is key for the sector. My Department understands that that there is a very serious risk, if not a likelihood, that the publication of the rent of an identifiable tenancy would contravene Article 6(3) of the GDPR on the grounds that it is disproportionate to the legitimate aim of rent transparency pursued. Section 128(4) of the RTA provides that the RTB's published register of tenancies shall not contain any information, as respects a particular dwelling, that discloses or could reasonably lead to the disclosure of—
(a) the identity of the landlord or the tenant or tenants of the dwelling,
(b) the amount of the rent payable under a tenancy of the dwelling.
I currently have no plans to amend section 128(4). Any change in this regard would need to comply with existing data protection and privacy laws and require consultation with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
670. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the second meeting of the sub-group set up to examining issues relating to the enhanced DCB scheme, which met on 11 January 2024, did not meet as planned on 21 February; the reason a meeting did not take place in March; if there has been further communication with homeowner representatives attending the sub-group since its first and only meeting; and if he will commit to convene a second meeting in a timely manner with meetings then scheduled on a monthly basis. [14842/24]
View answerI established an Implementation Steering Group for the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme and a sub-group was established within this existing group structure, to examine an emerging issue relating to financial aspects of the scheme. The sub-group met on 11 January 2024.
Due to operational reasons it was not possible to proceed with the scheduled follow up meeting of 21 February 2024, however, my Department has been in communication with members of this Group since the January meeting.
I expect the next meeting will take place in the coming weeks.
671. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if firefighters can be excluded from Circular LG(P) 06/09 ''Local Government Act 2001 (Section 161) Order 2004'' which prohibits local authority employees from contesting the forthcoming local elections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14843/24]
View answerThe legislative position in respect of local authority membership is set out in the Local Government Act 2001.
The Act sets out the categories of individuals who are disqualified from being elected or co-opted to, or from being a member of a local authority. Section 161 (1)(a) provides that member of a local authority is not to be employed by a local authority. However, Section 161 (1) (b) allows the Minister to designate such class, description or grade of employments to which this restriction does not apply or to specify conditions under which the restriction does not apply.
S.I. No. 216 of 2004 is made under Section 161(1)(b) and provides that a local authority employee, whose maximum remuneration on the last date for receipt of nominations at a local election does not exceed the maximum remuneration for the post of Clerical Officer, may be elected or co-opted to, or become a member of, a local authority.
In a Circular issued in December 2023, the “maximum remuneration” was expressed to include all elements received either directly or indirectly from the employer in respect of employment, including base salary payments, allowances and call out/incident attendance payments.
Following receipt of a number of queries in respect of the question of income thresholds and how this is determined in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Regulations, my Department undertook a detailed review of the matter and has now issued a new Circular to clarify the correct interpretation of the relevant Regulations.
The new Circular makes it clear that a local authority employee, whose maximum basic salary on the latest date for receipt of nominations at a local election does not exceed the maximum basic salary for the post of Clerical Officer, may become a member of a local authority. The Circular goes on to clarify that maximum basic salary here refers to the highest point on the relevant basic salary pay scale, exclusive of overtime, call out/incident attendance payments and/or any allowances.
672. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated number of affordable housing schemes, in tabular form, by cost rental and affordable purchase, that are planned per council area in the next three years; the number of homes involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14855/24]
View answerHousing for All sets out the range of actions necessary to increase the supply of housing out to 2030 comprising of 54,000 affordable homes to be delivered by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through the First Home Scheme, which is a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
Local authorities have published 5 year Housing Delivery Action Plans (HDAP) setting out affordable housing delivery targets up to 2026. The Housing Delivery Action Plans do not include additional affordable homes that will be delivered by the LDA, AHBs, First Home and via the higher Part V requirements introduced in the Affordable Housing Act 2021. The plan for each Council is available on their individual websites.
The Department continues to liaise with all local authorities, and other delivery partners, in relation to the further development of an affordable housing delivery programme that will respond effectively to all affordable housing requirements identified at a local level.
In addition, the First Home Scheme, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. In addition, since September 2023, the First Home Scheme now supports those who wish to build their own home. The scheme is available nationwide and more information can be found at www.firsthomescheme.ie/.
673. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what steps are being taken by the NPWS to prevent severe overgrazing in Killarney National Park by non-native invasive species such as sika deer and feral goats (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14883/24]
View answer674. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department is aware that overgrazing by two non-native invasive species, primarily sika deer and feral goats, is contributing to habitat loss as well as the spread of rhododendrum ponticum in Killarney National Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14885/24]
View answer675. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what steps are being taken to control the sika deer population in Killarney National Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14886/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 673 to 675, inclusive, together.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department and, specifically, management at Killarney National Park are acutely aware of the impact that invasive species, such as deer and goats, can have on the habitats within the Park and, in particular, on native flora. The effective management and protection of nature as a whole is the top priority within the Park. Where grazing by deer and other animal occurs at appropriate levels, it facilitates structural diversity, encourages high levels of biodiversity in the ground and field layers, maintains open areas and stimulates natural regeneration. Unfortunately, grazing pressure in Irish woodlands is rarely at appropriate levels and the growing impact of deer nationally has led to damage to forestry and biodiversity in some areas.Nationally, representatives of my Department – including the NPWS – participated in the Deer Management Strategy Group alongside representatives of Department of Agriculture and other interested stakeholders such as Coillte and Teagasc. The NPWS is committed to continuing to engage with the actions arising out of the group’s report and to being part of the national response to the issue of deer management.Specifically relating to Killarney National Park, the culling of deer has been carried out consistently for decades with varying results. In the last 5 years 461 Sika Deer have been culled in the Park. During the same period, 501 Red Deer have been culled. With the recent increases in Rangers assigned to the Park – rising from only 3 in 2018 to 7 in post currently – this rate is expected to increase. However, the management of an ecosystem – particularly where that management involves a resource and time intensive intervention such as culling – needs to be targeted and evidence-based in order to ensure maximum benefit. In 2022 a commission report indicated that between 2018 and 2021 there was a 13% decline in Sika Deer numbers, underlining the effectiveness of carrying out intensive culling in specific areas. With the additional staff resources now available, targeted culling activities in Killarney National Park are expected to intensify over the coming years. It should be noted that there are indications that the Sika Deer population regulate themselves in areas where there is no culling, with a specific example being the Doogary Wood area where Sika density declined by 38% during this period. In areas where the culling of Red Deer was carried out, there is evidence that the number of Sika increased, filling the vacancy left behind from the Red Deer. In light of this, it is important that interventions are strategically managed, targeted and designed to have the greatest effect without created any unintended consequences.It should also be noted that the culling of deer is only one of many roles Rangers carry out as part of their duties and can only happen if specific conditions are met. While Ranger numbers in Killarney National Park have increased, culling can only take place at times when there are no people in the area. While culling happens at night, one of the challenges facing Rangers at the Park is that the Park is accessible to the public 24 hours a day. Rangers must also be scheduled to operate in teams when culling for safety.
In relation to goat numbers at Killarney National Park, in 2022 Rangers undertook a comprehensive goat survey and the Park has continued to monitor goat numbers and will use this information to determine any appropriate goat-specific management strategies required.
Following the fire in Killarney National Park in 2021, there has been a deep study into the effects of the fire and, in 2023, a woodland survey was carried out in the Park to assess the conservation status of all the woodlands. As the reports from these studies become available, staff at the Park will have a better understanding of the current ecological conservation status of each woodland and this will help inform decisions on appropriate interventions relating to invasive-species going forward.
676. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will extend the remit of the Residential Tenancies Board in order that legal assistance can be given to users of the service to have judgements actually enforced; if he will introduce further changes to allow orders against incomes or social welfare benefits in the case of rent arrears owed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14895/24]
View answerThe Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004-2022 to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants.
When landlords, tenants and third parties bring disputes to the RTB through mediation, adjudication or tribunal, they receive a legally binding determination order, which, if not complied with, can be enforced through the District Court via two enforcement options.
With the first option, a landlord or tenant can request legal assistance from the RTB through its Legal Assistance Programme. This is a programme whereby the RTB assists parties to enforce determination orders through a panel of solicitors, local to each District Court. Further information on the programme and how to make an application can be found at: www.rtb.ie/images/uploads/forms/Application_request_legal_assistance_enforcing_Determination_Order.pdf.
Requests for legal assistance in urgent cases are prioritised; this includes cases concerning unlawful tenancy termination, serious rent arrears, over-holding and the non-return of deposit.
The second option allows a landlord or tenant to take their own enforcement proceedings in the District Court. In order to support parties who wish to take their own enforcement proceedings, the RTB has developed a step-by-step guide to the new process in the District Court which can be downloaded at: www.rtb.ie/images/uploads/general/RTB_Guide_to_taking_Enforcement_Proceedings_A5_FINAL_VERSION.pdf.
Tenants having difficulty paying their rent should engage with their landlords but should also engage with the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) and the Department of Social Protection as income supports, such as Rent Supplement, are available to assist them. There are currently no plans to provide for the recovery of rent arrears directly from a tenant's income or social welfare benefits.
677. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason a park management plan has not been produced for Killarney National Park since 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14897/24]
View answerThe review of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the subsequent Strategic Action Plan for renewal of the NPWS, both published in 2022, highlight a number of areas that require development within the NPWS and underscore the need for taking a more strategic approach to the planning and operation of the National Parks System in Ireland. The recommendations include the development of Management Plans for each National Park once appropriate resources become available. In order to progress this important work during 2024, the National Parks and Nature Reserves Directorate within the NPWS is in the process of creating a framework for their development. My intention is that a pilot set of plans will be delivered for each National Park and Coole Park Nature Reserve by the end of the year. This will include a Management Plan for Killarney National Park.
678. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the highly effective rhododendron removal campaign run by an organisation (details supplied) for over three decades in Killarney National Park was ended by National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14910/24]
View answer680. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that are being taken to address the issue of rhododendron infestation in Killarney National Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14935/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 678 and 680 together.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which is part of my Department, continues to invest heavily in and is committed to tackling the spread of invasive species across our network of National Parks. In particular, the control of Rhododendron ponticum is difficult, costly, and labour intensive, but is seen as a vital priority. The NPWS carries out an annual targeted programme of works across a number of sites to manage the spread and the multi-faceted programme includes, monitoring, surveillance, clearance, investigation, review, volunteer and contractor work groups and programmes.
Rhododendron has indeed been a major factor causing degradation of habitats in Killarney National Park. Efforts have been ongoing in the last 40-50 years with a variety of partners in order to tackle this issue and in this period a tremendous amount of work has been carried out by volunteers, contractors and staff. Despite these efforts there is still a lot of work to do. The effects of Rhododendron ponticum is well documented both in Killarney National Park and also in other sites across Ireland and the UK.
The method of treatment has changed and evolved over the years and the current method developed in Killarney National Park is considered to be the be the most suitable solution at this time. The current approach adopted at Killarney National Park is as follows:
1. Rhodo monitoring: the Park is divided into zones, these zones include woodland, wet and dry heath and blanket bog. The results of this monitoring allow staff to develop a strategy for treatment, picking areas for prioritising work.
2. Rhodo review: the NPWS commissioned a review and this will set a strategy for rhododendron ponticum into the future. One recommendation from this review was to develop management plans for each zone. Staff at Killarney National Park are currently developing draft plans.
3. Rhodo treatment: treatment of rhododendron ponticum is continuous, with work underway in the western woods. These areas will be resurveyed next year. Following the results, it is expected that the NPWS will be able to classify a large area as being in a “maintenance” phase.
4. In the last 5 years there has been approximately €2.7m spent on Rhododendron management at Killarney National Park between treatment and monitoring. There has been close to 2000 acres of area treated.
5. In the next 5 years there will be a continued effort to move zones in follow up phase to maintenance phase. All zones will be monitored to ensure that maintenance status is ensured.Just as the methodology employed to control rhododendron ponticum has evolved over the years, so too have the groups, contractors and individuals involved in these efforts. This is something that the NPWS expects will continue to evolve across all our sites into the future.
679. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a proper science-based and holistic ecological restoration programme, based on IUCN guidelines, would be implemented in the park by the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14915/24]
View answerIreland’s National Parks are managed as Category II National Parks under the criteria set out by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). A Category II National Park is defined as a large natural or near-natural area protecting large-scale ecological processes with characteristic species and ecosystems, which also have to have environmentally and culturally compatible spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational and visitor opportunities. All National Parks in Ireland are fully owned and managed by the State through the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), a Division of my Department. It is the policy of my Department to abide by the criteria and standards for the National Parks laid down by the IUCN.
Management of Killarney National Park (KNP) takes account of the restoration guidelines of the IUCN in its holistic approach to managing the Park.
Specific examples demonstrating adherence to the concepts and principles of these guidelines are as follows:
Yew Wood:
In 2021 KNP developed a set of actions for the Yew wood at Reenadina on the Muckross peninsula. It involved the creation of small exclosures in light gaps to exclude grazers. KNP also plans to eradicate the damaging invasive Beech trees by ring barking, which will also create light gaps. It is expected that these light gaps will allow for regeneration and in particular the growth of Yew trees.
Within the guidelines, KNP have followed best practice such as
1. Identify major factors causing degradation: KNP engaged with the scientific unit and woodland ecologist, with the threats identified
2. Clear Time lines: funding was sourced by KNP from the Conservation Measures Unit within the NPWS with specific actions to be achieved.
3. Use monitoring results and other feedback in adaptive management: KNP planned to carry out the work with their own resources and a plan was developed to get this executed, baseline data was taken for each plot and site inspections were carried out to see progress.
Woodland restoration:
Killarney National Park has the largest extend of old oak woodland in the country. Over the years exclosures were built around some of these. These have been damaged over time and last year the Park set about repairing these and building new exclosures. In addition KNP collected 30,000 acorns and propagated them in our own facility. These trees have been planted in various areas to assist woodland restoration and along river corridors.
Additionally, KNP carried out a comprehensive study of the woodlands in the Park. This study established a conservation score and a threat score. These will help determine actions to be enable suitable restoration works.
The survey allows KNP to identify major factors causing degradation and develop priorities. In addition, KNP has the commenced monitoring rhododendron in these woodlands and outside. These results along with other feedback will help inform an adaptive management model within the Park.
Utilising the IUCN guidelines has also allowed KNP to pick the best practices that were most suitable to the conservation aims of the Park. This has materialised into projects that demonstrate a contribution to societal goals, such as working with the award winning Killarney “coffee cup” project.
Staff at Killarney National Park follow the IUCN guidelines in their approach to the management of the Park and will continue to do so moving forward.
