Minister Joe O’Brien Welcomes Biodiversity Funding for Fingal

Over €2.5 million is being awarded to local authorities to carry out biodiversity projects through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) with €90,000 being awarded to projects in Fingal.

Welcoming the Funding, Joe O’Brien TD said:

“Given that it’s Biodiversity Week, I’m especially delighted to welcome funding of over €90,000 for those biodiversity projects based in Fingal. The Local Biodiversity Action Fund is an enormously impactful scheme that supports local authorities and communities to deliver on Ireland’s national objectives for nature, from invasive species to habitat restoration to awareness-raising to surveys and monitoring work. As more and more Biodiversity Officers join the ranks of our local authorities, I know that the benefits for nature and people that this Fund provides are only going to grow.”

Local Biodiversity Action Fund

Operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the scheme was first launched in 2018. Since then, a total of just over €6m has been granted to local authorities through the LBAF for projects that support actions in the 3rd National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP). This year’s grants will build on that investment.

The projects in Fingal that will benefit from the announced funding are the Rhododendron clearance of Howth Head (€50,000), the Ward River Restoration (€20,0000), the Biodiversity Plan for Beaverstown Golf Club (€12,000) and the Habitat Survey for Howth Sea Cliffs (€8,000).

A total of 186 projects approved across all 31 local authorities, covering a range of biodiversity related activities, including invasive alien species control, dune restoration, wetland surveys and biodiversity awareness and training.

More information on the funding can be found here

ENDS