Departmental Funding

Thursday, 13 November 2025

Ceisteanna (334)

John Brady

Ceist:

334. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding spent on clearing Cherry Laurel for each year between 2000 and 2025, including location and cost, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62693/25]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.

The NPWS has performed a search of its records and has confirmed that the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. During the twenty-five year period covered by this question, the NPWS has been a constituent part of a number of different Departments. During that period, reporting processes and operational priorities have significantly changed and evolved, as has the structure and organisation of the NPWS nationally. Relevant allocations dating back to 2014 have been identified. Further analysis and compilation of this information would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work.

It is important to note that while Cherry Laurel is not listed as an invasive species in Ireland, of concern, the NPWS proactively manages Cherry Laurel on its sites and notes that Cherry Laurel can have a detrimental impact on native habitats and species. Additionally, while funding may be set aside in a given year to tackle a particular problem, in this case Cherry Laurel infestations, it does not represent the totality of work related to that challenge. The management and control of invasive species and other infestations on the NPWS Estate forms part of the routine work of the NPWS and as such is not always specifically funded separately from other routine operations in each area. Also, it is of relevance to note that while the NPWS might invest in measures one year on a site, it may be several years before additional significant investment is required, depending on the scale and specifics of the infestation being tackled, with some years requiring monitoring rather than active intervention.

For years where there was significant additional funding required for a specific site, the following funding has been identified.

Year	Area/location	Type	Amount
2014	Knockma	Cherry Laurel	€5,107.50
2017	Coole Park NR	Cherry Laurel	€300.00
2020	Coole Park NR	Cherry Laurel	€737.75
2021	Coole Park NR	Cherry Laurel	€10,500.00
2021	Wicklow Mountains National Park	Cherry Laurel	€28,375.00
2021	Knockma	Cherry Laurel	€63,588.38
2022	Grantstown Wood Nature Reserve Co. Laois	Cherry Laurel	€2,497.00
2022	Coole Park NR	Cherry Laurel	€12,550.76
2022	Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve Co. Wicklow	Cherry Laurel	€65,000.00
2022	Knockma	Cherry Laurel	€154,217.42
2023	Knockma	Cherry Laurel	€13,872.70
2023	Coole Park NR	Cherry Laurel	€17,337.00
2024	Coole Park NR	Cherry Laurel	€14,290.02
2024	Knockma	Cherry Laurel	€42,369.55
2025	Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve Co. Wicklow	Cherry Laurel	€17,000.00