Wildlife Rehabilitation Support Scheme: Motion
Seanad Éireann — 2026-04-29
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Malcolm Noonan (GP), Agricultural Panel

I also welcome our Cork Minister of State. Táimid i ngéarchéim bhithéagsúlachta. Tá a fhios againn go bhfuil jab le déanamh againn uile chun cabhrú leis an dúlra agus leis an bhfiadhúlra nuair is féidir linn. Déanann ár n-ionaid tarrthála fiadhúlra ar fud na hÉireann obair iontach ag cabhrú leis an dúlra agus leis an bhfiadhúlra nuair is féidir linn.
Wildlife rehabilitators in Ireland play a vital role in biodiversity conservation and public service delivery. Last year, rehabilitation centres admitted approximately 10,000 birds and mammals to care, responding to injury, illness and human-induced threats. In the same period, they handled around 23,000 inquiries from the public relating to wildlife welfare and conflict situations, demonstrating a significant and growing demand for their services.
A substantial portion of animals admitted to our species of conservation concern, including those listed as amber or red under national conservation frameworks. These include the European hedgehog, barn owl, Eurasian curlew, northern lapwing or an pilibín, our national bird, common swifts, house sparrow, song thrush and many of our bat species. Many of these species are experiencing significant population decline and rehabilitation contributes directly to their survival and potential recovery in the wild.
Each individual animal successfully treated and released represents our measurable contribution to population stability, genetic diversity and ecosystem resilience. As such, wildlife rehabilitators operate on the front line of the biodiversity crisis, providing an essential service in species protection, welfare intervention and conservation outcomes. In addition, rehabilitators play an increasingly important role in the identification reporting of wildlife crime, including illegal persecution, poisoning, trapping and habitat destruction. This intelligence is shared with the NPWS and contributes to enforcement. Their work also extends to providing specialist guidance and support to public veterinary professionals, businesses, Government agencies and local authorities, strengthening cross-sector collaboration in wildlife protection.
Importantly, wildlife rehabilitators do not operate on a standard Monday to Friday nine-to-five schedule. Instead, they provide continuous around-the-clock emergency response services 365 days a year, ensuring injured and distressed wildlife can receive immediate care at any time, including nights, weekends and public holidays. We only have to look at Kildare Wildlife Rescue, KWR's, Pearse Stokes's exploits on Instagram to fully appreciate the risks they take to rescue wildlife.
Wildlife rehabilitation also generates wider socio-economic benefits. For example, KWR is expected to host over 60 international interns this year. These individuals reside with local host families to contribute economically through local spending and supporting businesses and services within the surrounding area. This demonstrates that investment in wildlife rehabilitation delivers not only environmental benefits, but also tangible community and economic value.
Our national network of wildlife rehabilitation centres can play an active role in head-starting. I have spoken with KWR about this. It would offer a regional centre for such activities once our national restoration plan is up and running. Overall, wildlife funding through wildlife rehabilitation services supports an integrated model of conservation, public engagement, law enforcement and rural and economic development, making it a high impact investment in both biodiversity and community resilience.
I am delighted the Minister of State and the Government are not opposing our motion.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:52+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-29