I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 282 together.
The ambitious €1.3bn funded Forestry Programme 2023-2027 includes an annual afforestation target of 8,000ha and a number of attractive forest establishment options that will help to support this ambition.
The Afforestation Scheme offers landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options including Native Woodland, Continuous Cover Forestry and Emergent Forests. It provides generous incentives to farmers in particular, to re-engage with forestry. These include increases in premia rates ranging from between 46% to 66%, along with a longer premia term of 20 years for farmers, compared to 15 years for non-farmers, across most Forest Types.
To date in 2024 my Department has received 59 fully complete afforestation applications, with 59 afforestation licences also being approved in the same period.
Afforestation is a voluntary land use choice for landowners and building confidence among landowners of the benefits of forestry will be key to increasing afforestation rates on recent low trends. I am confident that the attractive and increased rates under the new Programme, coupled with 20 year premiums for farmers, will encourage strong uptake of these afforestation options.