Joe O'Brien - Green Party
Fingal COCO need to take the opportunity of funding for it’s biodiversity programmes – Joe O’Brien
3rd March, 2021
Over €1.35 million will be made available to biodiversity officers in local authorities for projects which tackle Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and to carry out actions in the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021 (NBAP)
Welcoming funding announced on World Wildlife Day by his Green Party colleague, Minister Malcolm Noonan, Fingal TD Joe O’Brien urged our Council to put forward applications for grants. The Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, announced that over €1.35 million will be made available to local authorities in the Local Authority Biodiversity Grant Scheme for projects which tackle Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and to carry out actions in the National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021 (NBAP).
First launched in 2018, funding for the grant scheme has been increased from €700,000 in 2020. The scheme comprises two streams: a €500,000 fund for projects tackling Invasive Alien Species (IAS), including species which are included on the EU IAS list of Union concern, and €850,000 for other maintenance, restoration and awareness-raising projects under actions in the National Biodiversity Action Plan.
The scheme is operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and offers funding to assist local authority biodiversity officers with the implementation of projects that promote actions contained in the Plan.
Speaking about the opportunity for Fingal to benefit from this funding Minister Joe O’Brien said; “We have a great biodiversity officer in Fingal and so I would be hopeful that the Council Executive will put forward applications to secure some of this funding to build on the success of our projects last year such as the creation of new ponds in an overall strategy to develop more freshwater habitat in Turvey Nature Park.”
“Local Authorities such as Fingal County Council have a hugely important role to play in addressing the biodiversity crisis, and we need their help to create new habitats, restore existing ones, tackle invasive species and raise awareness of nature locally, regionally and nationally.”
“More than ever, people are making space for wildness in their lives – in gardens, on farms, and in public spaces – and reaping all sorts of benefits, not least of which is the sense of wellbeing and peace that we get from spending time in nature. This funding is an opportunity for Fingal County Council to support public efforts to deliver benefits for biodiversity, and for our communities too.”
For more information please contact karen.power@oireachtas.ie