Glenveagh National Park Brings the Curriculum Alive for Irish Teachers

Glenveagh National Park Brings the Curriculum Alive for Irish Teachers

As part of its education and awareness remit, the team of staff at Glenveagh National Park in Donegal have resumed the popular summer teachers course ‘Learning Through The Landscape’, which has welcomed 20 participants from all over the country.

The purpose of the week long course, which started back in 2015, is to help teachers learn more about nature and to be inspired to bring more outdoor learning into their practice. “The success of nature conservation work begins with winning the hearts and minds of people – and there’s no better place to start than schools and teachers”, explains Clare Bromley, Head of Education and Learning at Glenveagh.

The course takes the teachers on a hands on learning journey through a range of habitats and showcases how strands in the curriculum can be made more accessible, interactive and engaging for children when taken outside the classroom. Subjects covered include science, maths, geography, art, history and ICT. Its goal is to use the backdrop of the National Park and surrounding Nature Reserves as inspiration for teachers to learn more about Irish Biodiversity. The course is accredited and approved by the Department of Education & Skills as part of its overall CPD programme for teachers each summer and is run in partnership with Donegal Education Centre.

Enjoying the stunning weather this week, the group, led by the team of Education Guides, have explored the importance of woodlands, peatlands and freshwater habitats and the species found in each.  This supports teachers to acquire new knowledge and skills that they can take back to their schools in the year ahead.

Each year Glenveagh works with thousands of school and college students from across the North West, but this popular event remains the highlight of the year, with many teachers keen to share that it is one of the best courses and experiences they have attended.

The participants have had the chance to meet with National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Conservation Rangers and also to hear from staff from Inland Fisheries Ireland staff. The course exemplifies the value of strategic partnership working between Departments for the common goal of protecting and raising awareness of nature.

It is hoped that the course will be adapted to run on successive weeks from Summer 2023, given the interest and demand for places.

For more information on the education programme and services in Glenveagh, contact [email protected]

ENDS

August 12, 2022

10th Annual Green Ribbon Walk and Talk Campaign

10th Annual Green Ribbon Walk and Talk Campaign

IFA President Tim Cullinan has encouraged families to attend and support the Green Ribbon walks organised by IFA in partnership with See Change, Coillte, and Mental Health Ireland in support of the Green Ribbon campaign.

Eleven walks have been organised in venues throughout the country during August and September as part of the annual Green Ribbon campaign. The campaign aims to spread awareness about all mental health difficulties to help end mental health stigma and discrimination.

IFA President Tim Cullinan said, “It has been a difficult year for many farmers with increasing demands and rising input costs contributing to a lot of additional stress and strain on many farm families. The Green Ribbon walks provide an opportunity for friends, families and communities to connect”.

IFA Farm Family & Social Affairs Chair Alice Doyle said that this year marks the 10th year that IFA have been involved in the Green Ribbon walks.

“The nature of farming results in many farmers prioritising farm productivity over their own mental health. The Green Ribbon walks provide an opportunity for farmers and rural communities to take time out from their work and socialise with others outdoors.”

This year’s campaign was launched by Mary Butler, Minister of State with Responsibility for Mental Health.

“It is important that there are more conversations to challenge the stigma around mental health, especially in the farming community. Rural isolation and loneliness are real issues and these walks help to strengthen connections within the wider community.”

Managing Director at Coillte Mark Carlin said “Coillte is delighted to continue their support again this year for the Green Ribbon – Let’s Talk & Walk initiative. The health benefits to both our physical and mental wellness from contact with forests and nature is well established and this initiative aims to encourage everyone to get outdoors and use our forests, trails and recreation parks as a place to focus on improving our mental wellness, a challenge we all face in this increasingly fast paced and hectic world.”

“Coillte is very proud to able to host a number of the events around the country to help raise public awareness of mental health and encourage everyone to begin to talk about or support others in acknowledging and coping with the challenges they may be facing. I hope that everyone enjoys a walk in one of the many outstanding forest venues for this event and encourages their friends and family to participate.”

Martin Rogan CEO at Mental Health Ireland welcomed this year’s campaign saying “Mental Health Ireland is delighted to partner with the IFA and See Change on this invitation to ‘Walk and Talk’ – taking a moment to talk and listen can help to get things in perspective, reduce isolation and to see new solutions and options – Simply making some time to being a good friend and neighbour can, make an extraordinary difference and protects everybody’s mental health”.

Barbara Brennan, See Change team leader said, At See Change, we recognise the importance of supporting local communities to talk more openly about mental health.

“You don’t have to be an expert or have all the answers; simply wearing the Green Ribbon shows that you are open to having a conversation about mental health. These walks give farmers and members of rural communities a fantastic space for people to build connections, share knowledge about local support services, and take time out of our busy schedules to enjoy nature, while normalising conversations about mental health.”

August 10, 2022

Great Western Lakes public consultation gets underway

Great Western Lakes public consultation gets underway

Plan covers Lough Corrib, Lough Mask, Lough Carra, Lough Conn, Lough Cullin, Lough Arrow, and Lough Sheelin

Inland Fisheries Ireland has confirmed that a public consultation on the long-term management of the Great Western Lakes gets underway from today (August 9th) and is urging the public, especially the angling community and anyone who uses the lakes, or lives near them, to make a submission.

Inland Fisheries Ireland is the state agency responsible for the protection, conservation and management of the inland fisheries resource and it has developed a draft plan for the long-term management of seven lakes.

Covering Lough Corrib, Lough Mask and Lough Carra (in Galway), Lough Conn and Lough Cullin (in Mayo), Lough Arrow (in Sligo and Roscommon) and Lough Sheelin (in Cavan, Meath and Westmeath), the draft plan aims to address some of the many factors that impact on the ecological wellbeing and status of native fish stocks.

The lakes have long-been designated, as a matter of policy, to be managed primarily as wild brown trout waters. Therefore, the proposed management programmes for these lakes, as set out in the draft plan, will protect, conserve and, where possible, enhance the lakes’ natural attributes and native biodiversity. In turn, this would optimise the lakes’ potential as sustainable wild brown trout fisheries and, in some cases, Atlantic salmon fisheries. Other species such as eels, Artic char and Ferox trout are also reflected in the draft plan.

Launching the six-week public consultation process, Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development with Inland Fisheries Ireland urged the public to participate by reading the draft plan and making a submission. She said: “It’s clear to see that all seven lakes share a series of pressures which are impacting on their ecosystem stability and native fish stocks. These include declining water quality, fisheries habitat loss, invasive species and the detrimental effects of climate change. These issues will be tackled through the various measures proposed in this draft plan. That is why the public consultation process is such an incredibly important step, as it gives the public the perfect opportunity to have their say.”

The draft plan is available from the Inland Fisheries Ireland website at www.fisheriesireland.ie/westernlakesplan or by visiting Inland Fisheries Ireland’s offices in Galway, Ballina or Limerick. The deadline for making a submission is 5pm on Tuesday, September 20th and those wishing to make a submission are being encouraged to use the online questionnaire which will guide them through the headings of the plan. Unfortunately, any submissions received after the deadline has passed cannot be considered.

During the consultation period, a series of open evenings will take place where members of the public can discuss, seek clarification and ask questions on the draft plan with Inland Fisheries Ireland representatives.

Campion added: “We are urging anyone with an interest in the Great Western Lakes, especially anglers, other users of the lakes or those that live nearby, to read the draft plan and have their say by making a written submission online before the September 20th deadline.”

ENDS

August 10, 2022

Ireland’s first captive-bred Natterjack toadlets released into the wild

Ireland’s first captive-bred Natterjack toadlets released into the wild

  • Joint initiative between NPWS and Fota Wildlife Park has released 6,000 toadlets to date
  • This year’s cohort includes toadlets bred in captivity for the first time
  • A new scheme will pay farmers to protect the habitat of this endangered species

Almost 500 Natterjack toadlets were on Monday July 25th, at Castlegregory, Co. Kerry, with the help of the local community. These included toadlets that had spawned in captivity – a first for Ireland and a major milestone in this joint conservation project to protect the endangered Natterjack between National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Fota Wildlife Park.

Captive rearing plays an important role in the conservation of this unique and endangered amphibian and, through these efforts, over 6,000 individuals have been successfully released into the wild to date. Natterjacks endure natural mortality rates as high as 90%, with large numbers of eggs and tadpoles typically lost every summer due to predators and ponds drying out. 2022 has been a particularly challenging year for the toads, with the dry spring and summer meaning that spawning in the wild was very limited.

Through this project, staff from NPWS collect toad spawn and tadpoles from ponds in the wild and transport them to Fota where they are carefully looked after in special holding tanks over the summer months (captive rearing). Following metamorphosis, the resulting toadlets are then returned to the species’ native range in Kerry.

For the first time, the project also produced its own toadlets this year. A small number of mature natterjacks are being held in Fota and these produced spawn (captive breeding), providing a timely boost to the conservation efforts to save the species.

The natural range of the natterjack toad is restricted to the coastal zones of Castlemaine Harbour and Castlegregory in Co Kerry. The species suffered significant losses in range and population in the early 20th century due to land reclamation and changes in agricultural practises in these areas. Latest estimates put the population at less than 10,000 individuals in the wild. As a result the natterjack toad is considered to be endangered in Ireland and is protected under the EU’s Habitats Directive. NPWS efforts to address habitat loss for the toad have focussed on pond creation schemes, with some success. A new results-based farm plan scheme specifically for natterjack toads is now being rolled out by NPWS with local farmers.

Minister for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, who visited Fota last year to see the conservation project for himself, was in Castlegregory on Monday morning to see the toadlets being returned to the wild. “This project is a fantastic example of scientists, conservationists and communities coming together to protect this rare amphibian and the habitat it depends on,” he said. “I want to commend my staff in NPWS, the team in Fota Wildlife Park and the nature lovers of Castlegregory for their efforts. I’m also delighted that local farmers can now benefit from a new results-based farm plan scheme specifically for Natterjack toads. This will pay farmers to manage their land in a way that helps ensure the conservation of this endangered species, and I hope that everyone will get involved.”

 

Welcoming the release, Dr Sean McKeown (Director of Fota Wildlife Park) said: “We’re delighted to be working with the NPWS on the recovery programme for the Natterjack toad. Fota is involved in breeding programmes for endangered species from all over the world, but we are particularly pleased to be able to support this project for a threatened species closer to home. This year’s release of Natterjack toadlets has been of greater significance for Fota as the toadlets being released were for the first time bred at Fota Wildlife Park”.

 

Predation of natterjack tadpoles is a significant cause of mortality in the wild. To avoid predators, natterjacks typically breed in shallow sunny ponds. However, these ponds are susceptible to drying up early. Desiccation of breeding ponds before metamorphosis accounts for significant mortality in Irish natterjacks in some years.

“The natterjack is a boom or bust species,” explained Dr Ferdia Marnell, the amphibian specialist in NPWS who has been overseeing the project. “And this year was not one of the good ones.  The captive rearing ensures that some eggs do make it through to toadlets every year and that is particularly important in dry years like this.” 

Notes 

There are only three amphibians in Ireland:   the common frog and the smooth newt are widespread. The natterjack toad is restricted to coastal areas of west Kerry.

Link to Irish Red Data Book which includes (on Page 47) useful information on natterjacks: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/RL5.pdf

The report from the most recent monitoring survey of Irish natterjacks can be accessed here: https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/IWM107.pdf

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Press Office

Tel: (01) 888 2638 (direct)

Email: [email protected]

Website: gov.ie/housing

Twitter: @DeptHousingIRL

 

July 26, 2022

AIB Have Abandoned More Farming and Rural Customers

AIB Have Abandoned More Farming and Rural Customers

IFA Farm Business National Chair Rose Mary McDonagh says the banking sector is again abandoning the farming community and rural Ireland in the wake if AIB’s decision to withdraw cash services in 70 branches across the country.

The recent announcement that 40% will no longer be offering cash and cheque services at the counter, or through machines inside the branch by 21st October. No form of cash transactions including notes, coins, cheques, foreign exchange, bank drafts; drop safes; night safes or external ATM’s will be available at these branch locations. When you add this to the already cashless AIB branches, that’s more than half of the 170 AIB branch network that will be cashless in the coming months.

“At what point does a bank become irrelevant? AIB must be sailing close to the wind at this stage for Irish farmers and rural dwellers,” Rose Mary McDonagh said.

AIB’s reasoning for this is reduced demand for cash and cheque services, and the huge rise in digital banking.

“How else could demand be anything other than down with Covid-19 lock-downs gripping the country for the last number of years and the Banks closing branches or withdrawing services left, right and centre,” the IFA Farm Business National Chair added.

“It just suits their wider agenda and if past history tells you anything the move is probably only a precursor to eventual branch closures, which must not be allowed happen,” she said.

“The Central Bank, and indeed Government given that AIB is a majority state-owned bank, need to intervene now to protect economic activity and the social fabric of rural towns, villages and its citizens.”

“Offloading bank services to An Post just isn’t acceptable. Don’t get me wrong, having An Post and the Credit Union’s there to pick up the pieces as AIB abandon rural communities indeed certainly helps, but many of their offices just aren’t set up for traditional banking interactions,” she said.

Significant investment and added resources will be needed to more fully support the farming community, and I’m not only talking here in terms of capital investment in their infrastructure/network to facilitate more secure/private financial transitions, but also improved financial offering to the SME market and in turn a competitive nature.

“There is huge financial pressure, uncertainty and worry among farmers at the minute. Farmers across all sectors are being hit by an array of spiralling input costs, which are eroding already low margins for most. Farmers need to know that their financial provider is there for them when needed and that they have a range of low-cost finance options to meet their personal and business financial needs.”

“In the past, farmers could rely on localised in-branch knowledge and expertise. Now, you’d hardly know anyone in the bank. Bank officials don’t know farmers or understand their business either. If you are not on hold on the phone for hours, your driving miles to your nearest branch now and this is unacceptable.”

“The diminished level of competition, and indeed traditional service provision, is a particular cause of concern – particularly among our most elderly and vulnerable members. Banking is a hassle now for many,” Rose Mary McDonagh concluded.

Ends.

July 21, 2022

Final draw for ‘brown tags’ announced for angling on River Lee in 2022

Final draw for ‘brown tags’ announced for angling on River Lee in 2022

To boost conservation efforts, anglers who wish to catch and keep wild salmon from the Lower River Lee this year are being reminded by Inland Fisheries Ireland that ‘brown tag’ regulations are still in force until the season closes on 30th September 2022.

Details for the final online draw in 2022 for ‘brown tags’ have just been announced by Inland Fisheries Ireland. This draw is scheduled to place on Monday, August 8th and the deadline for entering is 5pm on Thursday, August 4th.

The measures are included in the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations, signed into law by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, T.D.

Under brown tag regulations, an angler who wishes to ‘harvest’ a wild salmon, i.e. to take or keep it, must attach a brown tag as well as a standard blue tag to the fish. To help conserve stocks of wild salmon within the Lower River Lee, No. 5 or Cork District, 152 brown tags are available for the season and are being distributed to anglers with a valid 2022 rod licence through a series of four online draws.

Up to a quarter of the available number of brown tags can be issued at any one time, under the Wild Salmon and Seatrout Tagging Scheme Regulations. As a result, a batch of 38 tags was issued to anglers in January, another batch was issued in April and a third batch in June. For the fourth and final draw taking place on Monday 8th August, the final batch of 38 tags for the 2022 Angling Season will be issued.

How to apply

Any anglers that are interested in entering the draw are being asked to fill out the form online through the following link: https://www.fisheriesireland.ie/final-2022-online-draw-for-brown-tags-on-lower-river-lee-in-cork, which closes at 5pm on Thursday, 4th August 2022.

Anglers with a 2022 rod licence who are not allocated a brown tag are only permitted to fish for salmon on a ‘catch and release’ basis on the Lower River Lee.

Further details are available from the Inland Fisheries Ireland’s website at www.fisheriesireland.ie, by telephoning the Macroom office on (026) 41221or by emailing [email protected].

 

ENDS 

For media information:

Sarah Bohan

Communications at Inland Fisheries Ireland

E : [email protected]

T : 087 65 39936

July 21, 2022

Minister Noonan encourages everyone who cares for injured wildlife to ensure they are compliant with the law

Minister Noonan encourages everyone who cares for injured wildlife to ensure they are compliant with the law

Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, has encouraged wildlife enthusiasts and rehabilitators who take care of our injured wildlife to ensure they are compliant with the law this summer by applying for the appropriate licence.

“We have some passionate and dedicated people in Ireland who go to great lengths to care for injured wildlife. They play a vital role in protecting wild species and do great service in bringing such issues to the attention of agencies such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service. I’d like to remind them, and anyone who looks after injured wild birds or protected wild animals, to ensure that they’ve secured the necessary licence from the NPWS,” Minister Noonan said.

“Without the tireless efforts of wildlife enthusiasts and rehabilitators in the community, I dread to think of the amount of injured wildlife that would be lost, either to injury or to predators, given their vulnerability. To ensure compliance with the law, it is essential that their work is done on a licensed footing and that is what we’re highlighting today.”

He outlined that applying for a licence has been streamlined, and in a bid to make the process even easier, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has released a new application format for those caring for our wildlife.

“The NPWS has upgraded their licencing process for the possession and/or retention of protected wild animals and wild birds under Sections 22 and 23 of the Wildlife Act 1976, and I would urge people to log onto npws.ie to find out more.”

The main change introduced is the splitting of one application form into two to allow for applicants to apply for the possession of wild birds or animals for rehabilitation purposes and, separately, in limited circumstances, to apply to retain such animals or birds that would be unlikely to survive unaided in the wild.

Also new is the introduction of an application form for a licence lasting 12 months aimed at experienced rehabilitators across the country who treat multiple cases on an ongoing basis.

Details of the new forms can be found on the NPWS website here:

https://www.npws.ie/licencesandconsents/possession/keep-injured-or-disabled-protected-wild-animal-or-bird

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Press Office

Tel: (01) 888 2638 (direct)

Email: [email protected]

Website: gov.ie/housing

Twitter: @DeptHousingIRL

July 20, 2022

Inland Fisheries Ireland issues reminder about angling regulations ahead of busy summer season

Inland Fisheries Ireland issues reminder about angling regulations ahead of busy summer season

July and August are typically the busiest months of the year for angling, so Inland Fisheries Ireland is issuing a timely reminder about the national regulations that are in place to protect pike and coarse fish.

Angling is a hugely popular leisure activity and sport in Ireland, with over 325,000 adults* enjoying it. According to an Amárach Research omnibus survey in 2021**, 18% of adults who have not tried angling before are “likely” to try it in the future. 

 

Inland Fisheries Ireland is the state agency with responsibility for the promotion of angling, as well as the protection, conservation and management of inland fisheries and sea angling resources.

“Historically, Ireland has been known for its salmon and trout fishing, but the country is also being hailed internationally for its pike and coarse fishing. However, the national regulations around pike and coarse fishing might not be as well known,” according to Suzanne Campion, Inland Fisheries Ireland’s Head of Business Development. 

She said: “There are conservation measures in place to protect pike and coarse fish under national byelaws.  It is very important that every angler, including first-time anglers and experienced anglers, becomes familiar with these pieces of legislation to avoid any potential fines or prosecutions.”

Pike are one of largest freshwater fish species in Ireland and can reach over 15 kilograms (33lbs) in weight, while coarse fish include species such as roach, bream, rudd, tench and perch.

Important Bye Laws

Under the national Pike Bye Law (no. 809/2006), there’s a ‘bag limit’ of one pike in any one day. This means that an angler can only keep and take away one pike and must carefully return any other pike caught to the same waterbody, safely. The same bye law also prohibits the killing of any pike that measure longer than 50 centimetres. In these cases, the pike must be returned, safely, to the same waterbody. 

Under the Coarse Fish Bye Law (no. 806/2006), there’s a bag limit of four coarse fish in any one day, meaning that if an angler catches more than four course fish, those must be returned, safely, to the same waterbody. In addition, any coarse fish that measure longer than 25 centimetres cannot be killed.

Meanwhile, there are other regulations that apply to all anglers, regardless of what type of species they are fishing for. For example: it is illegal to fish in Ireland with more than two rods; it is illegal to transfer live roach from one waterbody to another and finally, the use of live bait when angling is prohibited.  Breaches of fisheries legislation could result in fixed penalty fines, seizure of fishing equipment or criminal prosecutions.

Catch and Release

‘Catch and release’ is a conservation practice that is supported by Inland Fisheries Ireland, whereby a fish is handled responsibly and put back into the same waterbody, safely. When fishing for coarse fish, the use of large keepnets is encouraged; it is also recommended that pike and carp sacks are used to weigh the fish, before returning them safely to the same waterbody.

Campion added: “For anyone interested in angling or trying it out, there is an extensive network of very active clubs, associations and federations all over the country that organise coaching, events and competitions. There’s also a dedicated website for angling in Ireland at www.fishinginireland.info with very helpful information about regulations and bye laws, directories and resources.”

ENDS

NOTES 

Sources of facts quoted:

* Ipsos MRBI, commissioned by Inland Fisheries Ireland

**Amárach Research: online omnibus survey carried out in July 2021, with questions supplied by Inland Fisheries Ireland using a sample size of 1,000 adults in Ireland. 

 

Full wording of Bye Laws

Pike 

The Pike Bye Law No. 809 (2006) provides for the following conservation measures: 

· a bag limit of 1 pike in any one day

· prohibits the killing of any pike greater than 50 cm in length

· prohibits the possession by any person of more than 1 whole pike less than 50 cm or more than 0.75 kg of pike flesh, this provision does not apply to a person storing pike or pike parts subject to conditions

· prohibits the possession by any person of more than 12 coarse fish for use as bait subject to conditions. 

There is no prohibition on the number of frozen sea baits a pike angler can have for the day’s sport. 

 

Coarse Fish 

The Coarse Fish Bye Law No. 806 of the year 2006 provides for the following conservation measures · a bag limit of 4 coarse fish in any one day

· prohibits the killing of any coarse fish greater than 25 cm in length

 

In addition, these other regulations are in place: 

1. It is illegal to fish with more than two rods 

2. It is illegal to transfer live Roach from one water to another 

3. The use of live bait is prohibited

For media information:

Sarah Bohan & Sadhbh O’Neill

Communications Team at Inland Fisheries Ireland

E : [email protected] & [email protected]   

T : 087 65 39936 & 087 1019998

About Inland Fisheries Ireland (www.fisheriesireland.ie) 

Inland Fisheries Ireland is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication (DECC) and was established under the Fisheries Act on 1st July 2010. Its principal function is the protection and conservation of the inland fisheries resource. Inland Fisheries Ireland promotes supports, facilitates and advises the Minister on the conservation, protection, management, development and improvement of inland fisheries, including sea angling. Inland Fisheries Ireland also develops policy and national strategies relating to inland fisheries and sea angling and advises the Minister on same (fisheriesireland.ie).

 Angling in Ireland

Inland Fisheries Ireland runs the fishinginireland.info website, a comprehensive angling information resource which includes details of 1000s of angling venues all around Ireland. Visitors to the site can search for guides, ghillies, instructors, charter fishing boats, tackle shops and small boat hire on a county-by-county basis or by using interactive maps. Angling reports are posted daily and anglers can sign up for a free weekly ezine, called the Irish Angling Update.

 

June 28, 2022

New Voucher Scheme for Remote Working Hubs goes live

New Voucher Scheme for Remote Working Hubs goes live

  • At least 10,000 hot desk days to be provided free of charge
  • Register for your vouchers at ConnectedHubs.ie

 

The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, recently announced that the Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme has gone live.

At least 10,000 hot desk working days will be provided free of charge over the course of the Scheme, which is aimed at both existing hub users, as well as those accessing hub facilities for the first time.

It is intended that the scheme will run over two phases. Phase one will run from now until August 31st with the second phase starting in September and expected to run into early 2023.

Initially, the first phase sees three vouchers been credited to the accounts of all registered ConnectedHubs.ie users, with each voucher redeemable for a day’s hot-desk working in participating hubs.

Anybody wishing to register for their free vouchers can do so online at www.connectedhubs.ie or via the ConnectedHubs mobile app.

Minister Humphreys said:

 “The census figures released last week show population growth in every county with some of the largest increases happening in rural counties like Longford and Leitrim. This bucks previous trends where we have seen some rural counties experience population decline.

 “The fact is there are now more people living and working in rural Ireland than ever before.

 “Through the implementation of Our Rural Future and the continued drive towards remote working, I want to ensure we continue these positive trends for the benefit of our rural communities.

 “The Connected Hubs Voucher Scheme will allow people to try out their local hub for free and I believe many will see it is a much better option for them than working from the kitchen table or facing a long commute.

 

“They may also decide that the hubs in our wonderful regional towns and villages would make the option of relocating, or moving home, a viable one.”

Ends

 

Contact:

The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office

01-773 6843 / 087-1734633

[email protected]

 

June 28, 2022

Planning permission exemptions for rooftop solar panels on homes and other buildings proposed

Planning permission exemptions for rooftop solar panels on homes and other buildings proposed

  • Houses regardless of location, will soon be able to install solar panels on their roofs without any requirement for planning permission
  • Exemptions proposed for the first time for solar rooftops of homes and buildings like community and educational buildings, places of worship, health buildings, libraries and farms
  • Exemptions for certain wall-mounted and free-standing solar panel installations proposed to be increased to 60 square metres

The Minister of State for Planning and Local Government, Peter Burke, TD, has published proposed revisions to the existing planning exemptions for the installation of solar panels on the roofs of houses and certain non-domestic buildings.  A public consultation as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment process is now open and will run until 13 July. The proposed changes are aimed at increasing Ireland’s generation of solar energy and national action on climate change.  

Commenting on the draft regulations, Minister Burke T.D said:

“These draft regulations will help facilitate the rollout of rooftop solar energy across the country. They will enable individuals, communities, businesses and farms to play their part in creating a future fuelled by renewable energy and acting against climate change. They will help people and businesses to reduce their energy bills and increase Ireland’s energy security, a major challenge given developments in Europe and the need to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels.” 

Under the draft regulations the following is proposed:

  • For solar panel installations on houses: it is proposed to increase the existing planning exemptions for installing solar panels on rooftops of homes, regardless of their geographical location. Solar installations will be able to cover the entire roof of a house, subject to minor setback distances from the edge of the roof.
  • For solar panel installations on rooftops of all other existing classes of development (Industrial; Light Industrial and Business Premises; Agricultural): rooftop solar installations covering the entire roof are proposed to be exempt from requiring planning permission. However, in 43 proposed solar safeguarding zones, the existing exemption of 50 square metres or less is proposed to be increased to 60 square metres per building. These proposed solar safeguarding zones, which constitute less than 3% of the country’s land area, are necessary to address aviation safety concerns due to the potential impact of glint and glare arising from increased solar developments in proximity to sites such as airports and hospitals (which have helipads). Anyone seeking to avail of larger rooftop solar installations within solar safeguarding zones can apply for planning permission.
  • Apartments; educational/community/religious/health/recreational buildings and libraries: for the first time, it is proposed to exempt the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of such buildings from requiring planning permission, subject to conditions and the rooftop area limit in proposed solar safeguarding zones.
  • Exemptions for wall-mounted and free-standing solar panel installations: free-standing solar panel installations for houses are exempted from the requirement to obtain planning permission subject to a 25 square metre area limit and conditions requiring a certain amount of private open space to be maintained for the use of occupants. The exempted area for all other categories except apartments is proposed to be increased to 60 square metres.  In addition, wall mounted solar installations of 60 square metres will also be exempted for industrial and agricultural buildings.

Minister Burke added:

“Houses, regardless of location, will soon be able to install solar panels on their roofs without any requirement for planning permission, which I know will be very welcome to many homeowners.  Draft proposals for community/educational/religious buildings will also give institutions such as schools a greater opportunity to reduce their energy bills. By proposing these increased exemptions we are bringing exemptions into line with our renewables ambitions and helping people to play their part in climate action and to reduce their energy bills. 

“In finalising these regulations we will implement an important commitment in the Programme for Government and will help us meet the targets set out in the Government’s Climate Action Plan.”

ENDS

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Press Office

Tel: (01) 888 2638 (direct)

Email: [email protected]

Website: gov.ie/housing

Twitter: @DeptHousingIRL

June 22, 2022