The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is responsible for housing, local government, heritage and planning. The goal of the Heritage Division, which hosts the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is to conserve and manage Ireland’s unique heritage for the benefit of present and future generations, as a support to economic renewal and sustainable employment and in compliance with legal obligations. DHLGH provides the legislative and policy framework for the conservation of nature and biodiversity. The responsibilities of the Department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) include:
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine leads the development and regulation of the agri-food sector, protecting public health and optimising social, economic and environmental benefits. It leads on actions to ensure Ireland’s agricultural production is environmentally sustainable include the following:
DAFM is responsible for the development of the legislative and policy framework through which the environment is protected under the Rural Development Programme (RDP). DAFM has extensive experience in developing and implementing Agri-environment schemes. The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (‘ACRES’) is the current agri-environment scheme, under Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023-2027, and has been designed to contribute significantly to achieving improved biodiversity, climate, air and water quality outcomes, through both multi-functional prescription and results-based actions.
Coillte, Ireland’s semi-state forestry company, is responsible for managing circa 440,000 hectares of primarily forested lands. It is the nation’s largest forester and producer of certified wood, a natural, renewable and sustainable resource. Coillte also enhances and restores biodiversity and delivers nature rehabilitation projects across Ireland. Coillte employs over 800 people directly, and circa 1,200 contractors.
Today, 30% of the Coillte estate (approximately 135,000 hectares) is managed primarily for nature and consists of a varied tapestry of different habitats, ranging from forests (conifer, mixed, broadleaf and native forests) to peatlands and uplands (blanket and raised bogs, wet and dry heaths), lakes and rivers. Every part of the Coillte estate is available as habitat for Ireland’s wild plants and animals and therefore has some value for biodiversity.
Peatlands with the best ecological value are mapped in biodiversity areas and are included in the 30% managed primarily for nature, while many more currently have low ecological value but may have potential to develop into habitats of high ecological value in the longer term.
Coillte has restored peatland habitats in the past, as part of three former projects funded by EU LIFE-Nature. Participation in SNS Ireland provides an opportunity to build on lessons learned from these and other more recent initiatives and put in place the measures that enable us to scale up peatland restoration on the estate. Coillte’s role in the project is as a Beneficiary.
For further information visit www.coillte.ie