Thursday, 10 Oct 2024

Written Answers Nos. 181-200

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Departmental Reviews

Questions (181)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

181. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has conducted a capacity review of her Department’s ability to deliver services that they are responsible for in the past ten years to date; the same of State bodies and agencies under her Department’s aegis; if she published those reviews; the number of recommendations implemented arising from the reviews and same for State bodies and agencies under her aegis; if the capacity review was outsourced; and if so, to whom and at what cost. [40846/24]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Whilst the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has only existed in its current configuration since mid-2020, an Organisation Capability Review (OCR) was carried out in respect of the then Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in 2019. An Implementation Plan was subsequently developed in early 2020 with a number of actions identified across five themes. Notwithstanding the change of Departmental configuration, there has been significant progress in implementing relevant actions. Both the OCR and the Implementation Plan were drawn up internally. They were published and are available on www.gov.ie.

In respect of state bodies under my aegis, in line with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, there are other processes which aim to ensure that such bodies are fit for purpose. These include Oversight Agreements and Performance Delivery Agreements. All State bodies under my remit engage with these processes to ensure that they are in a position to deliver on their objectives.

Sports Funding

Questions (182)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which favourable consideration might be given to application for major sports grant in the case of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40891/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Deputy Thomas Byrne)

The Community Sport facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme) is the Government's primary vehicle for supporting the development and improvement of sport facilities.The organisation referred to by the Deputy has registered with the programme through www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie but has never made an application.

It is open to any organisation with a suitable project to apply for funding under any future rounds and while no decisions have been made on the timing of the next round all registered organisations will be informed when the next round is opening for applications.

Earlier this year Minister Martin and I announced funding of up to €120 million under the new round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) which closed for applications on 1 July 2024. I understand that the organisation referred to by the Deputy is party to one of the applications received. Assessment of applications is well advanced and I hope to announce allocations under this latest round of LSSIF in the coming weeks.

Animal Welfare

Questions (183)

Paul Murphy

Question:

183. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of cubs born at a park (details supplied) in each year since 1984; and to confirm the fate of these animals, including the listed queries. [40768/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Malcolm Noonan)

The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is responsible for the regulation, inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. The European Communities (Licensing and Inspection of Zoos) Regulations 2003 provide the legislative basis for the inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. These Regulations give effect to EU Directive 1999/22/EC (the Zoo Directive).

Housing Schemes

Questions (184)

Brian Stanley

Question:

184. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund applications were received for Laois and Offaly since its inception; how many were approved; how many were not approved; the status of all approved applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40691/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The objective of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages. The types of infrastructure being provided include roads, bridges, diversion of power-lines, drainage works as well as public amenities (parks).

In July 2016, the Department invited relevant infrastructure project proposals from local authorities, and received over 70 applications.

A LIHAF Advisory Group was established to undertake an evaluation and assessment of LIHAF applications. This Advisory Group was drawn from a number of areas within the Department including planning, quantity surveying and housing delivery experts. A LIHAF Management Committee was established to make recommendations to the Minister, on projects that met the criteria for LIHAF funding and which could be given approval in principle, taking account of the detailed evaluation and assessments undertaken by the LIHAF Advisory Group.

All proposals were assessed in line with the criteria set out in the Call for Proposals and ultimately 30 projects were approved for LIHAF grant funding in 2017. Laois County Council did not submit any applications and Offaly County Council submitted a single application for an access road at Chancery Lane, Tullamore. The application made by Offaly County Council was not successful.

It should be noted that the LIHAF scheme closed in 2017.

Housing Schemes

Questions (185, 193)

Holly Cairns

Question:

185. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware that local councils are continuing to include child maintenance as part of the income and rent calculation for social housing (details supplied). [40720/24]

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

193. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to review the practice of including child maintenance payments in housing applications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40784/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 193 together.

Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.Under the Policy, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature. However, with the exception of the specific payments listed in the Policy as being disregarded, all income from social insurance and social assistance payments, allowances and benefits, and maintenance payments received is assessable. My Department is currently in the process of reviewing assessable and non assessable income under the Household Means Policy in order to ensure it continues to be appropriate.

In relation to rent calculations, local authorities set and collect rents on their dwellings in accordance with section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such rent schemes is generally a matter for local authorities within broad principles set out by my Department, including that rent levels should be based on income and reflect tenants’ ability to pay.

Local discretion and flexibility are inherent in the devolved administration of rent schemes and different approaches are taken to rent setting across local authorities. Accordingly, decisions regarding the sources of income included and disregarded for rent assessment purposes, including child maintenance, are matters for individual local authorities. I have no role in this regard.

Housing Policy

Questions (186)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

186. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a timeline for his Department to undertake its examination of the report reviewing income eligibility for social housing; when he expects to develop a new social housing income eligibility model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40722/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Housing for All includes a commitment to review income eligibility for social housing. From this review, completed in November 2021, it was recommended moving five local authorities from Band 3 to Band 2, ensuring the income eligibility thresholds better reflect housing costs in those counties. Government also agreed to increase the baseline income thresholds by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The thresholds thus increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively.The review further recommended the commissioning of research to develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. My Department received this detailed research, commissioned by the Housing Agency. The scope of the research included examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and population conditions and the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced.My Department is now undertaking a detailed examination of the report, in order to develop a new social housing income eligibility model in line with the Housing for All Action Plan update. This detailed examination will include consultation with stakeholders and will look at, inter alia, how the social housing income limits system interacts with other housing supports and ensure that they continue to target households correctly. This work is complex and I expect it to be significantly advanced by the end of Q4 2024.

Rental Sector

Questions (187, 188)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

187. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he plans reform of RPZs on foot of the recommendations contained in the report of the Housing Commission; his views on the private residential sector as a critical component in achieving Ireland's housing for all goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40734/24]

Marc MacSharry

Question:

188. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has considered the impact of rent controls or policies similar to RPZs on housing markets in other jurisdictions when developing policy; his views on the current RPZ system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40735/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together.

As part of the Residential Tenancies Act, the Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016, introduced a targeted Rent Predictability Measure to moderate rent increases in those parts of the country where rents are highest and rising fastest. Rent control areas, known as Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs), are applied on the basis of the objective evidence available via the RTB Quarterly Rent Index Report. Currently, 82% of tenancies across the country are subject to rent controls.

The Government has decided to approve the urgent drafting of amendments to the Residential Tenancies Acts for inclusion in the Planning and Development Bill 2023 at Report Stage in Dáil Éireann to extend the operation of RPZ rent controls for a further year until 31 December 2025 and to provide for related matters. The Government wishes to give renters and everyone connected to the rental sector foresight and certainty that existing rent controls will continue in operation until 31 December 2025.

The Housing for All Action Plan Update, published in November 2023, included a commitment to review the operation of the private rental sector and this report was published in July 2024. The review noted issues arising from the current system of rent controls and also the need to ensure the regulatory system for the rental market adequately balances the interests of landlords and tenants. The review recommended a comprehensive examination of the current RPZ system in light of market changes and experience in other jurisdictions, in advance of their expiration at the end of 2025. The examination of the RPZ system will consider whether they should be continued, adapted or removed.

My Department has requested that the Housing Agency to undertake the review of RPZs, which will also examine the recommendation of the Housing Commission to establish a system of 'Reference Rents'.

Question No. 188 answered with Question No. 187.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (189)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

189. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of new posts for planning authorities sanctioned in Budget 2025; to confirm that these are entirely separate from any additional sanction provided in 2024; and to provide details of both, in terms of number sanctioned, numbers recruited to date, and funding provided in each round of sanction. [40736/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he/she is responsible.

In terms of building capacity generally in the local government planning sector, my Department is currently working on a number of measures to increase staffing levels. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) submitted a report entitled 'Business Case for Resources for the Planning Function of Local Authorities in 2022' which identified a shortfall of 541 staff in local authority planning services at that time. Further to the submission of the report, my Department is working in conjunction with the LGMA on a programme of support to provide planning authorities, on a phased basis, with the requisite level of staffing resources and expertise to efficiently and effectively perform their planning functions.

In this regard, my Department wrote to planning authorities in October 2023 conveying approval to the filling of an initial 100 posts, subsequently increased to 101 posts, in the local authority planning service under the first tranche of the programme. €8 million was allocated in Budget 2024 specifically for additional planning recruitment and training at local authority level. This was to support the filling of the 101 posts and will also contribute towards the establishment of a sustainable pipeline of planning resource provision. Of these 101 posts, 80 positions have been filled to date, with the remainder expected to be filled by the end of the year.

Engagement is ongoing with the local government sector on the scope of further tranches. A further €10 million has been allocated in Budget 2025 for increased resourcing in the planning system, through additional staff for An Bord Pleanála, local authorities and support for a new planning learning and development initiative.

Animal Welfare

Questions (190)

Paul Murphy

Question:

190. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he is aware of a published investigation where it is reported that ‘foxes, badgers and hares sold as live bait in underground wildlife trade’; the action his Department will take to stop what is described as a daily occurrence in Ireland; the reason the Government scrapped plans to establish a wildlife crime unit; and if he will question the social media company (details supplied) hosting these groups as to why the groups have not been removed. [40769/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Malcolm Noonan)

I am aware of a published article that reported on the sharing online of content that are purported breaches of wildlife legislation.

Wildlife crime is a very serious issue, which may encompass breaches of National, European and International legislation that protects wildlife species and encompasses a wide range of behaviours, some of which are very disturbing and morally reprehensible. Preventing and disrupting wildlife crime activities requires a multifaceted approach nationally.  That is why I established a dedicated Directorate for Wildlife Enforcement and Nature Protection in the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department to lead on the development of NPWS policies and strategies for wildlife crime. 

Combatting wildlife crime is a core  mandate of the NPWS.  In its mission to protect nature the NPWS is addressing wildlife crime through law enforcement measures together with inter agency collaboration, community engagement, public awareness and education.  The NPWS uses locally appropriate targeted responses, patrols and surveillance (ground and aerial) to detect illegal activities such as badger baiting, hare coursing, finching and illegal burning.  In line with international best practice, a multi-agency approach is utilised where appropriate to investigate crimes, leveraging our joint protocol with An Garda Síochána and working hand in hand with other enforcement agencies, Departments and others e.g. ISPCA.

The NPWS is further strengthening the legal and policy framework against wildlife crime through a review of wildlife legislation. The review is looking at enforceability of our legislation, the level and category of offences fines and penalties as part of that review. There is also emphasis on capacity-building along the entire enforcement chain in the NPWS (conservation rangers, management, administrative, legal and scientific teams).

It is my understanding that obligations under the REGULATION (EU) 2022/2065 - Digital Services Act relates to how providers of an online service deal with illegal content.  There are certain things providers of an online service need to do about illegal content when it is notified to them.

I have asked officials from the Wildlife Enforcement and Nature Protection Directorate to contact the Deputy for more information on the posts shared on social medial platforms.  They will then review and consider next steps.

Rental Sector

Questions (191)

Paul Murphy

Question:

191. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he agrees that the Residential Tenancies Board’s remit should extend to holiday lettings and properties that are short-term lets (details supplied); if property websites are required to track the number of days a property has been let out under the 90-day rule; and if so, the body which enforces this. [40778/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Darragh O'Brien)

The Residential Tenancies Board's (RTB) remit extends to the private rental, approved housing bodies (AHB), cost rental and student-specific accommodation sectors. The RTB’s remit does not extend to holiday lettings and properties that are short-term lets.

New legislative provisions enforced by planning authorities were introduced in 2019 under the Planning and Development Act and supplementary regulations. The primary objective of the reforms was to influence the bringing back of houses and apartments in designated “rent pressure zones” which were being used for short term letting purposes to the traditional long-term rental market, thereby helping to ease the accommodation shortage pressures currently being experienced in this area.

The proposed Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill being developed by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media will provide the statutory basis for the establishment of a register for Short Term Lets in Ireland and for the implementation of the new EU Short Term Rental (STR) Regulation which was adopted by the EU on 11 April 2024.

The Government's housing plan, “Housing for All”, has specifically committed, in the context of making more efficient use of existing housing stock, to developing regulatory controls with a view to ensuring that homes are used to best effect in areas of housing need. The STL register will provide a framework within which planning authorities can identify those STL properties that are operating without the appropriate planning permission.

The Department of Tourism has advised that it is intended to bring the STLT General Scheme to Government in the Autumn for approval and publication and to then proceed with drafting of the Bill.

As is the case with all local authorities, my Department currently offers supports to assist with dedicated STL implementation and enforcement. Earlier this year, local authorities received an allocation of funding for dedicated STL Implementation and Enforcement resources up to June 2024. Further supports have been allocated since then.

My Department will continue to work with all local authorities to provide assistance in terms of resources as part of a wider engagement with the local government sector on increasing resources within planning services.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (192)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

192. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken to increase the period of time over which successful croí cónaithe grants can be drawn down (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40783/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Pathway 4 of Housing for All sets out a blueprint to address vacancy and make efficient use of our existing housing stock.

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022 under the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund, supports bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use as homes. A grant of up to €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. Where the refurbishment costs are expected to exceed the standard grant of up to €50,000, a top-up grant amount of up to €20,000 is available where the property is confirmed by the applicant to be derelict or where the property is already on the local authority’s Derelict Sites Register, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.

The grant is available in respect of vacant and derelict properties built up to and including 2007, in towns, villages, cities and rural areas.

In order to support the timely delivery of properties back into use, from May 2023, once a Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant application receives approval, applicants must complete works applied for within a period of 13 months. In exceptional circumstances, where an applicant is experiencing particular issues and cannot complete the works applied for under the grant within the 13 month period, the local authority may consider and grant an extension of the approval period at their discretion. My Department issued a circular to all local authorities in October 2023 in this regard.

When the Croí Cónaithe Towns Fund was launched, a commitment was given that a review of the schemes under it, including the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, would be undertaken by mid 2024. The review has now been completed and I am now considering its contents. The matter of the timeline for completion of works has been considered as part of the review.

Question No. 193 answered with Question No. 185.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Questions (194)

Brendan Smith

Question:

194. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the new National Parks Wildlife Service stakeholder forum will be established; when the first meeting of this forum will be convened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40803/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Malcolm Noonan)

I refer to the reply to Question No. 38828/24 of 1st October 2024 which sets out the position in this matter.

Wildlife Regulations

Questions (195)

Brendan Smith

Question:

195. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress to date in establishing a sustainable hunting of wild birds stakeholder forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40804/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Malcolm Noonan)

Earlier this year, Mr Teddy Cashman was appointed as Chair of the Sustainable Hunting of Wild Birds Stakeholder Forum. A series of bilateral meetings with relevant stakeholders was held during the summer. I welcomed delegates to the first full Forum meeting of all relevant stakeholders, which took place on the 8 October 2024.

Departmental Reports

Questions (196)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

196. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the report on renters’ deposit protection systems will be published; if the recommendations of the report will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40813/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

I refer to my reply to Question No. 379 of 18 September 2024 which sets out the position in this matter

Local Authorities

Questions (197)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

197. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total operating cost of town councils during their final full year of operation. [40823/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Under the Local Government Reform Act 2014, Town and Borough Councils were dissolved with effect from 1 June 2014. The total current expenditure (including transfers to and from reserves, for example, for loan or lease repayments, debt write off or development levies, among other matters) recorded in the Annual Financial Statements of the relevant dissolved local authorities for 2013 was €413,074,757. This has a 2024 value of just over €507m applying the Central Statistics Office Consumer Price Index inflation calculator.

This figure is in respect of the 54 Town and Borough Councils that were in existence at that time, but excludes the 26 non-rating authorities (former Town Commissioners), as those authorities did not have separate financial accounts; so the overall current expenditure of the 80 Town and Borough Councils and Town Commissioners could be expected to be considerably higher than the costs set out above.

Wastewater Treatment

Questions (198)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

198. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual Exchequer funding provided, current and capital, for projects (details supplied); and if he would outline current policy in these areas, in tabular form. [40824/24]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Uisce Éireann has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. The scope, prioritisation and progression of individual projects is a matter for Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own internal governance structures.

There has been record levels of investment in water services by Uisce Éireann over the last five years with the National Development Plan committing to almost €6bn capital investment in the period from 2021-2025 of which over €4.5 billion will be Voted Exchequer funded in respect of domestic water services. Over €2.7 billion (current and capital, including €1 billon equity) is being provided to Uisce Éireann by my Department to meet the cost of water services in 2025.

The Programme for Government supports the uptake of Uisce Éireann's Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme (STVGP), which will provide growth capacity in smaller settlements that would otherwise not be provided for in Uisce Éireann’s capital investment plan. Uisce Éireann is working with local authorities across the country in ensuring the investment supports the growth of identified settlements where these are prioritised in line with the local authority development plans.The programme was launched in summer 2021, and to date, Uisce Éireann has announced 39 projects under the programme, which are at various stages of development.The delivery of capital projects is not dependent solely on funding and resources. Uisce Éireann must comply with the planning and consenting regime and as a body in receipt of public funding, with the relevant requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines. While Uisce Éireann allocates the necessary funding and resources to projects, it takes a number of years to bring a wastewater project through from selection to completion.Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to [e-mail] or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.

In addition to the STVGP, in December 2023, I approved funding of over €45m for projects in seven villages under my Department's Multi-Annual Rural Water Programme for the Waste Water Collection and Treatment needs of Villages without access to public waste water services. There is ongoing engagement between the key stakeholders to outline and agree the next steps required to commence and deliver these projects to completion as quickly as possible.

My Department also funds the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) that works on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality in our rivers, lakes, estuaries, ground and coastal water through catchment science and local community engagement. LAWPRO coordinates the efforts of local authorities and other public bodies in the implementation of the River Basin Management Plan.

Local authorities also undertake limited drainage maintenance works of rivers and streams, which is funded from within their own resources.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Questions (199, 200)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

199. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the Exchequer funding provided to the National Parks and Wildlife Service to protect biodiversity in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [40825/24]

Cathal Crowe

Question:

200. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual funding provision his Department provides for acquiring land for biodiversity parks. [40826/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Deputy Malcolm Noonan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 200 together.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department received €62.25m in capital and current funding from the Exchequer in 2024 to protect biodiversity.  I have secured a budget provision of €78.1m in Exchequer funding for 2025.  This excludes Shared Island and Just Transition Funding. The entire budget of the NPWS is applied for the purpose of fulfilling its missions which is to Protect Nature. This encompasses a wide range of activity and functions all of which support the overall goal of protecting nature. It is not possible to disaggregate funding or apportion spending to broad terms such as biodiversity.

Land purchases are funded from the capital allocation to the NPWS and will depend in any year on the opportunities that arise for purchase of high nature value lands.

Question No. 200 answered with Question No. 199.

• Written Answers Nos. 161-180
• Written Answers Nos. 201-220