Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 October 2020
605. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the cost benefit ratio for the forestry programme 2015 to 2020 was calculated in 2014 as 1:1.18; and if so, the reason for this decision. [30348/20]
View answerThe analysis that concluded a cost benefit ratio of 1:1.18 was carried out in the context of the Department's 2014 publication 'Forests, products and people, Ireland’s forest policy – a renewed vision'. A cost benefit analysis was not undertaken specifically for the proposals as set out in the Forestry Programme in 2014 although 'Forest, products and people' was a significant source of information and direction with regard to the design of the Forestry Programme.
The 'Forest, products and people' cost benefit analysis covered afforestation and roads. On the costs side, the analysis looked at the cost of grants and premiums as well as the cost of forest management. On the benefit side, there was analysis of timber revenue, carbon sequestration as well as the benefits of recreation and environmental benefits such as water quality and biodiversity. A planting programme for three different scenarios were included in the exercise, 7,500 hectares per annum, 10,000 hectares per annum and finally 15,000 hectares per annum.
