Wildlife Protection

Tuesday, 19 May 2026

Ceisteanna (651)

Liam Quaide

Ceist:

651. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of reports received by the NPWS concerning alleged unlawful habitat destruction in each of the years 2021 to 2026 to date; the number of incidents inspected or investigated; the number that proceeded to enforcement action or prosecution; and a breakdown of data by region. [37922/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Orders.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department treats all allegations of unlawful habitat destruction as a serious matter, particularly where such activities may constitute breaches of the Wildlife Acts, the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, or other legislation designed to protect habitats, species and biodiversity.

Combatting wildlife crime and environmental damage forms a core part of the work of the NPWS in delivering on its mission to protect nature. The NPWS adopts a multi-faceted approach that combines enforcement activity with awareness raising, engagement and education initiatives, alongside cooperation with other State agencies where appropriate.

The NPWS receives reports from a range of sources concerning alleged habitat destruction, including reports from members of the public, environmental organisations, public authorities and NPWS staff observations in the course of their duties. Such reports may relate to activities including hedgerow removal, drainage works, land clearance, burning, peat extraction, damage to protected habitats, or other activities potentially impacting biodiversity.

All reported incidents of alleged wildlife crime are investigated, however, it should be noted, that for some incidents, no further action is required, where it is deemed that no offence has taken place under either the Wildlife Act, 1976, as amended or EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011, as amended. Furthermore, Ministerial Directions may also be issued under the EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations to restore habitats in designated Natura 2000 sites i.e. Special Areas of Conservation or Special Protection Areas. Incidents, for example, of burning of vegetation, are also referred to other Departments, who have functions in investigating the destruction of habitats, for example, to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Members of the public can also report such incidents to these Departments. For prosecutions, fines may be imposed on conviction of a particular offence under the Wildlife Act or EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations or the Probation Act may be applied, at the discretion of the judge, where a donation is then made to a charity. In such cases, the charity is often related to wildlife rehabilitation.

The available information sought for the period is set out in the tables below. Please note the available data for prosecutions has been listed by County as prosecution cases are assigned to a county’s Chief State Solicitor by the Chief State Solicitors Office. NPWS Regions cover many counties, can be split between counties and have been restructured in the last five years under the NPWS Strategic Action Plan following the review of NPWS.

* Total number of incidents reported, inspected and investigated

	2021		2022
NPWS Region	Reports*	NPWS Region	Reports*
South Eastern	47	South Eastern	47
Mid South	36	North Eastern	145
Mid West	66	Mid West	66
North Eastern	145	Western	2
South West	7	South West	7
		Mid South	36

	2023		2024
NPWS Region	Reports*	NPWS Region	Reports*
South Eastern	71	South Eastern	56
North Eastern	197	North Eastern	218
Mid West	57	Mid West	127
Western	8	Western	12
South West	23	South West	25
Mid South	11	Mid South	15

	2025		2026 to date
NPWS Region	Reports*	NPWS Region	Reports*
South Eastern	48	South Eastern	51
North Eastern	125	North Eastern	1
Mid West	158	Mid West	63
North Midlands	36	South West	12
Western	73	Mid South	10
South West	83
Mid South	58

Total number of prosecutions for habitat destruction

County						Year
2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	Total
Carlow	1	0	1	0	2	0	4
Cavan	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Clare	1	1	1	1	1	0	5
Cork	6	0	3	0	1	0	10
Donegal	0	0	1	0	1	0	2
Dublin	0	1	2	0	1	0	4
Galway	6	3	11	1	6	2	29
Kerry	1	2	0	1	1	0	5
Kildare	2	3	6	1	0	1	13
Kilkenny	1	0	0	0	0	0	1
Laois	2	4	1	0	5	4	16
Leitrim	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Limerick	0	2	2	2	1	0	7
Longford	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Louth	0	2	0	1	0	0	3
Mayo	3	1	2	3	4	0	13
Meath	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Monaghan	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Offaly	3	2	2	1	0	0	8
Roscommon	1	0	0	2	1	0	4
Sligo	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
Tipperary	3	0	2		1	0	6
Waterford	0	1	0	0	0	0	1
Westmeath	2	2	3	1	1	0	9
Wexford	0	0	1	3	1	0	5
Wicklow	1	1	0	0	1	0	3

Minister of State for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Christopher O'Sullivan)