Fen Restoration

Fens occur across diverse landscapes, from coastal regions to uplands, and are found across all regions in the Irish landscape. These ground-water dependent terrestrial ecosystems range in size from small flushes of only a few square metres to extensive floodplain fens. Fens support a large and diverse array of plants and animals. They contain a rich flora, ranging from species tolerant of acidic, low-nutrient status to those characteristic of nutrient-rich, alkaline environments. Their rich variety of vegetation communities is reflected in the extensive range of fauna, especially invertebrates.

Fen sites are complicated due to their hydrology. For this reason there has been very little restoration carried out on fen sites. The National Parks and Wildlife Service has commissioned a National Fen Survey (NFS) aiming to survey 400 fen sites. The purpose of the NFS is to provide the necessary data to inform a comprehensive conservation status assessment of EU Annex I fen habitats under article 17 commitments to the Habitats Directive. These conservation status assessment will be completed by the end of 2026. 

Data provided in relation to conservation condition indicates that many of these fen habitats are in unfavourable-inadequate and unfavourable-bad condition. Many of the fen sites surveyed as part of the NFS are within the Just Transition territory. The Tochar Midlands Wetlands Restoration Scheme has identified 36 fen sites for which conservation and restoration management plan will be developed. The plans will be developed on a phased basis across 1,472 hectares. The first four plan will be available in August 2025 with restoration actions taking place in autumn 2025. A further sixteen plans will be prepared and actioned in 2026. The Tóchar project will deliver the remaining restoration plan by the end of 2026. It is unlikely that conservation measures for the last tranche of sites will be actioned under the Just Transition programme as the Tochar project ends in December 2026. However it is likely that they will be action from other sources of funding in 2027.