Wicklow's erosion prone coastline without targeted funding as new 3m biodiversity package bypasses dunes

Wicklow’s coastline is not included in a key funding stream for invasive species control and dune protection, even though the area is among the most erosion vulnerable stretches in the country. Recent Local Biodiversity Action Fund allocations provide almost €97,000 for four biodiversity projects, none focused on beaches, dune systems, or coastal habitats. Funded work includes a woodland bat survey, landscape restoration, biodiversity enhancement on council lands, and a countywide education and monitoring initiative. In 2025, the council received €11,973 for a general biodiversity enhancement project on council-owned lands, again without coastal emphasis. National Biodiversity Week announcements confirmed €3 million for 209 projects nationwide, including shoreline restoration in other counties such as Waterford.

"Wicklow's coastline has been left out of a key funding stream for invasive species control and dune protection, despite being one of the most erosion vulnerable stretches in the country. The latest allocations under the Local Biodiversity Action Fund (LBAF) show that Wicklow will receive almost €97,000 for four biodiversity projects, but none of them relate to the county's beaches, dune systems or coastal habitats."

"The council received funding for a woodland bat survey, a landscape restoration programme, a biodiversity‑enhancement programme on council lands, and a countywide education and monitoring initiative. In 2025, the council received €11,973 for a general biodiversity‑enhancement project on council‑owned lands, again with no coastal focus."

"Confirming €3 million in funding for 209 projects nationwide, he said the investment would "have huge impacts for our habitats and wildlife" and praised the work of local authority biodiversity officers in delivering nature projects across the country. He highlighted the diversity of projects being funded, noting that proposals ranged from bird‑monitoring and meadow management to dune and wetland restoration."

""There are practical, hands‑on projects too, such as removing invasive species," he said, adding that initiatives such as the Hare's Corner and Return to Nature programmes were expanding into more counties. The director general of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Niall O'Donnchú, welcomed the high standard of applications nationwide, saying the fund empowers local authorities to work directly with communities to protect natural heritage."

Read at Irish Independent