1906. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will assist a person (details supplied) who has land covered in rhododendron. [63096/26]

My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for the implementation of the legislative framework around invasive alien species in Ireland, including the 2024 European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations (SI 374/2024) which give effect to the EU IAS Regulation (1143/2014) in the national context.

Management and control of invasive alien species is a matter for landowners. The NPWS carries out invasive alien species control on the lands it owns. The control of Rhododendron ponticum is difficult, costly, and labour intensive, but is seen as a vital priority for restoring and rehabilitating habitats and ecosystems. The NPWS carries out an annual targeted programme of works across a number of sites, including Killarney National Park, to manage the spread. This includes monitoring, surveillance, clearance, investigation and reviews.

While my Department carries out considerable work on controls in National Parks and Nature Reserves, it does not have the resources or the powers required to extend such work into urban areas or the wider countryside. Much of the work in tackling invasive alien species happens at local level and is carried out by local authorities in their areas through their own biodiversity action plans.