News
Ministers launch ‘NPWS in Review 2024’
Date Released: Friday, June 13, 2025
- Report highlights achievements including the expansion of National Parks and Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan
- Achievements underpinned by partnership, engagement and organisational renewal.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD have today launched ‘NPWS in Review 2024’, an overview of the work of the National Parks and Wildlife Service in 2024. The report highlights key achievements for the NPWS throughout the year in its work to protect nature.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD said:
“Notable achievements for the NPWS last year included the acquisition of land for nature, the expansion of National Parks, rolling out a range of conservation projects and strengthening partnerships with communities around the country.
This government is committed to continuing this work. 2025 sees record levels of investment in our natural heritage, including €78 million in core funding to the NPWS.
I would like thank NPWS staff around the country for their exceptional work to protect our valuable natural heritage for all of us and future generations.”
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan TD said:
“Our National Parks and Nature Reserves are vital ecosystems which combat climate change, protect biodiversity and provide spaces for recreation, mental wellbeing and the enjoyment of Ireland’s wild landscapes.
Ensuring that NPWS has the resources it needs to thrive is essential to safeguarding these spaces for the species which depend on them for survival, along with the 5.5 million people who visited and enjoyed Ireland’s National Parks last year.
This year, NPWS has delivered real results on the ground—from the creation of Ireland’s first Marine National Park, to implementing peatland restoration measures and fighting wildlife crime. Through targeted conservation measures, we are making a measurable difference for some of our most treasured and vulnerable species, such as Corncrakes, Breeding Waders, and Natterjack Toads.”
Niall Ó Donnchú, Director General of the NPWS said
“A wide range of NPWS initiatives, projects and funding streams are now delivering positive change for nature. Partnership with communities, farmers and landowners has been key, and I would like to pay tribute to them for their ongoing collaboration.
In addition, we made significant progress in our commitment to organisational renewal and transformation last year, through increased staffing, better co-ordination, public engagement and more effective communication.
All of this puts us in a stronger position to deliver greater impact and achieve better outcomes for nature for this generation and the next.”
Highlights in 2024
National Parks The number of National Parks increased from six to eight, including the establishment of Ireland’s first Marine National Park, Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara Ciarraí, protecting over 70,000 acres of land and sea. National Parks welcomed over 5.5 million visitors in 2024.
Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity Action Plan was published, the first to be backed by legislation and legal requirements for public bodies to embed biodiversity and report on their progress.
Protecting habitats: Increased protection of marine waters in Ireland from 2% to 9%, including the Seas off Wexford SPA, all of which contributes to the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Peatland habitat restoration measures were completed on an area of more than 565 hectares across eight protected raised bog sites under NPWS programmes.
Wildlife Crime: NPWS enhanced collaboration and cooperation with other enforcement agencies including An Garda Síochána and thirty new prosecution cases for alleged breaches of wildlife legislation.
Expanding schemes and partnerships for nature: Throughout 2024, the NPWS continued to administer and support partners in 7 LIFE projects, including leading on LIFE IP Wild Atlantic Nature, Corncrake LIFE, and LIFE on Machair, all of which aim to protect and restore Ireland’s precious habitats and species. Other projects include Tochár Wetlands Restoration and a new European Innovation Partnership for Breeding Wader birds.