I propose to take Questions Nos. 360 to 365, inclusive, together.
There are requirements in the Planning and Development Acts to obtain grant of planning or written exemption from such a grant from the relevant local authority, when replacing certain broadleaf high forests with conifers. This is not a new requirement and Circular 05/2021, was issued to serve as clarification. The Planning and Development Acts are outside of the remit of the Department and the requirement for a grant of planning or a written exemption is irrespective of the health of the trees concerned. Furthermore, an applicant wishing to avoid these requirements can choose to replace an existing broadleaf species, in this case Ash, with another broadleaf species.
The Forestry Act, 2014 provides for an exemption from obtaining a tree felling licence in situations where the tree felling is carried out to control or to prevent the spread of disease. Applicants are not required to obtain a tree felling licence as part of the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS). However, this is separate to the requirement to obtain grant of planning or an exemption from such a grant, which falls under the remit of the Planning and Development Acts, where certain broadleaf high forests are to be replaced by conifers.
Where there are concerns for health and safety and a fear that delays in obtaining planning permission may exacerbate the situation, it is open to applicants to replant Ash with another broadleaf species.
Finally, the current Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme meets the purpose of the requirements to continue to deal with the disease. The focus of the Scheme moving away from ash dieback eradication and bringing ash plantation management to the fore. The Scheme ensures that the forest owner is provided with a broader range of silvicultural and management options.
My Department has received 301 applications for RUS for 1,237ha, of which 60 have been approved for 212ha. The remainder are at various stages of processing.