Press release
Ministers Noonan and O’Brien launch ‘NPWS in Review – 2023 - 2024’
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
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• Report highlights agency’s key achievements to protect nature over the past eighteen months
• Report shows NPWS is on track to complete commitments in its Strategic Action Plan for Renewal (2022-2024)
• Foundations will support NPWS in its leadership role in nature restoration nationally and at EU level.
Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD have today (Thursday 1 August) launched ‘NPWS in Review – 2023- 2024.’ The report highlights the work and achievements of the agency in advancing its mission to protect nature over the past year and a half.
Minister Noonan said:
“This report comes at a critical time for the NPWS, as it continues to implement its ambitious plan for organisational renewal and for nature. This report provides a snapshot of developments that will enable that renewal to take root. The agency has expanded its capacity through additional staff, secured new investment for nature conservation, and strengthened its engagement with farming communities and landowners.
Most importantly, the public has really responded to the NPWS’s message to protect nature at a time when nature needs us most.”
Minister O’Brien said:
“I would like to pay tribute to the NPWS team for the significant progress made over the past eighteen months. Key achievements include the establishment of two new National Parks, the designation of the largest Special Area of Conservation in the history of the State, and increasing marine designations to protect our seabirds. I was delighted to secure additional Government funding for the agency and it is now at almost €100m per annum.
At the same time, we remain in nature deficit. We can turn this to our advantage, through engagement, partnership, co-operation and investment. These have been the hallmarks of NPWS over the past year and a half and will strengthen its impact for nature. It is to the great credit of its staff and leadership team that has recently won a very significant European award for their work in nature.”
The NPWS published its Strategic Action Plan for Renewal in 2022, a roadmap for the restructuring of the NPWS to enable it to deliver its mandate to protect nature. This was followed in June 2023 by the agency’s first Strategic Plan, which set out its core mission, values and priorities up until 2025.
Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General with NPWS said:
“As an executive agency we have made huge strides to improve how we safeguard nature for the public and for future generations. Protecting our natural heritage, facilitating public access and engagement across our National Parks and Nature Reserves, and building foundations for a strong, healthy organisation remained our top priorities.
NPWS will take a leading role in nature restoration, both nationally and within the EU, as we start work on a National Restoration Plan unique to Ireland. Our experience and partnerships now put us on the right path to meet this challenge. The metrics on delivery in this Review speak to a dedicated and committed team across our organisation who are as passionate about their roles as they are about nature and I want to thank each of them for their standout contributions across the two years.”
ENDS
NPWS in Review 2023-2024 is available to read and download here:
NPWS 2023-2024 in Review
NPWS 2023-2024 in Review document
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The report highlights the following achievements over the last eighteen months:
1. Scientific Advice and Research: NPWS continued to undertake scientific work to underpin reporting obligations and conservation management of habitats and species. The agency secured additional resources and initiated partnerships to support the use of data and science in nature conservation. NPWS also published Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan, the first plan to be placed on a statutory footing.
2. Nature Conservation: NPWS demonstrated a commitment to protecting nature, through protecting two large marine Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), protecting Ireland’s largest Special Protection Areas (SPA), and establishing Ireland’s first marine National Park – Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí.
3. Wildlife Enforcement and Nature Protection: NPWS established a new Wildlife Enforcement and Nature Protection Directorate, which worked to safeguard nature and prevent wildlife crime. NPWS worked collaboratively with An Garda Síochána, enhanced community engagement and brought 53 prosecution cases for alleged breaches of wildlife crime.
4. National Parks and Nature Reserves: The report spotlights a number of significant capital works and upgrades which took place across the network of National Parks and Nature Reserves, to support activities such as trail maintenance, invasive species clearance, bog restoration and fire monitoring.
5. Legislation and licensing: NPWS continued to review and update wildlife legislation. NPWS issued almost 13,000 licenses and provided expert advice to over 800 requests for statutory consultations. A new e-licensing system went live.
6. Corporate governance, and specialist support: NPWS managed 25 strategic, high nature value land acquisitions, totalling 1,192 hectares, including Brú na Bóinne National Park and Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí. NPWS processed 13,827 planning referrals.
7. International and EU Engagement: NPWS played a leading role in emerging EU and international developments relevant to nature, including the approval of the Nature Restoration Law.