383. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the structure of the new Invasive Species Bureau; whether it will be an agency or a unit within his Department; whether it will have its own dedicated staff; if not, if it will be comprised of existing members of the ##Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52658/26]

Invasive alien species are one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss worldwide. In Ireland, invasive alien species are having a significant impact on biodiversity with major annual costs required to manage their impact in our National Parks and across Ireland. This threat is recognised in Ireland’s 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan.

This new partnership between the NPWS and the NBDC is required to support Ireland’s ambitions to prevent the introduction of new high impact invasive alien species into the Irish environment, and to achieve an evidence-based response to those already here.

The new Invasive Alien Species Bureau will not be a new agency or unit within my Department. Instead, the Bureau will be a new partnership approach between the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC).

One of the first actions for the Bureau will be to develop a strategic approach towards invasive alien species. This strategy will be developed throughout the rest of 2026 and into 2027. It is envisaged that the final strategy will set out key goals and objectives that help sustain a “whole of government, whole of society” approach to invasive alien species in Ireland. To accomplish this, the Bureau will build on existing initiatives of coordination with government departments and agencies.

An additional priority for the Bureau will be to support NPWS-led efforts in delivering effective rapid response for priority invasive alien species such as the Asian Hornet.

Staffing arrangements for the new Bureau are currently being finalised.