113. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage which university has entered into a research agreement with the National Parks and Wildlife Service for studies on bird damage to crops and other topics, as referenced in his response to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 8 October 2024; and to outline the selection process undertaken in choosing this university for the research project. [43375/24]

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has a long history of collaboration with academic institutions to support the delivery of its key functions. Strengthening links with research institutions is an objective of the NPWS Strategic Plan 2023-2025. NPWS is currently in discussions with a third level institution to develop, an approach to collaborative working to test and inform further opportunities and best practice in ensuring that NPWS has access to leading policy relevant research in appropriate fields across all our third level and research institutions.

The institution in question is a research-led university and has a well-established reputation and commitment to excellence in the biological sciences, including in ornithology. Teagasc, Ireland’s state agency providing research, advisory and education in agriculture, horticulture, food and rural development in Ireland, will also be a lead collaborator on the research into bird damage to crops. It is hoped to complete a Memorandum of Understanding in the coming weeks.