Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
1091. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an afforestation grant and premium scheme application by a person (details supplied) given that the application is ongoing since January 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10198/21]
View answerAn application for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme was received in January, 2019. The site is close to designated sites and therefore it was referred to my Department’s Ecology Unit. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) was supplied, which did not address all concerns. Further information was requested which was received in December last.
While the additional information provided was helpful, it did not fully resolve the issues. The Ecologist has liaised with both the Forestry Inspector and the Registered Forester and have come to an agreement in principle on the planting of a certain part of the site. The Ecologist will finalise their report and determination on the site, with conditions, over the coming days.
The file will then be returned to the Forestry Inspector, who will make their final review and recommendations. These recommendations, including the conditions stipulated by the Ecologist will form part of the decision, which will issue to the applicant and their Registered Forester.
