1685. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the Government is addressing the impact of climate change on biodiversity and native wildlife; the additional measures are planned to strengthen biodiversity protection in the years ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56439/26]

Under Ireland's National Adaptation Framework, my Department published a Biodiversity Sectoral Adaptation Plan (BSAP) for climate change in November 2025. The BSAP 2025 is a national-scale plan that considers climate change impacts and risks across Ireland’s terrestrial, freshwater, and marine biodiversity. The plan is aligned with the objectives of the 4th National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) 2023-2030 and supports the overarching objectives of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation to deliver restoration measures in at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.

The BSAP 2025 sets out three strategic goals supported by eight objectives and 22 new actions, alongside coordinated delivery of 43 existing actions from the NBAP. These actions range from strengthening the evidence base for adaptation, ecosystem restoration, and nature-based solutions to governance, monitoring, and public engagement. The BSAP 2025 will build on the significant investment in recent years from my Department and large scale European projects that have strengthened restoration efforts and the safeguarding of our most precious habitats and rarest species. Work is underway on implementing the NBAP, and significant progress has been made to develop Ireland’s first national Nature Restoration Plan. Climate change is embedded within these initiatives. The Biodiversity Sectoral Adaptation Plan is a further opportunity to strengthen these actions, work with key stakeholders across multiple sectors and co-ordinate our efforts across Government to safeguard our biodiversity.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department is progressing an accelerated programme of peatland restoration and a Conservation Measures Programme to support the protection and restoration of habitats and species, enhance ecosystem resilience and deliver long-term conservation outcomes. This work is complemented by a range of EU-funded initiatives, including projects supported under the LIFE Programme and the EU Just Transition Fund, which contribute to habitat restoration, biodiversity conservation and climate action objectives.