Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2021
270. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to provide a revised financial support scheme for landowners affected by ash dieback to ensure that all diseased ash plantations can secure support, that provision is made for a phased premium period for forest owners below 50% of the minimum rotation age and that includes an insurance scheme for future losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28944/21]
View answerThe Reconstitution and Under-planting Scheme (RUS) (Ash dieback) was developed by the Department to provide the forest owner with a broader range of silvicultural and management options in support of the ash dieback impacted plantation. The focus of the Scheme is moving away from ash dieback eradication and bringing ash plantation management to the fore. The scheme opened for applications in June 2020 and to date there have been over 304 applications with 61 approved.
Premium payments have already issued up to the time the crop became infected. Therefore, they restart from the date the last premium was paid. Additional payments are available for site clearance and for the establishment of a replacement crop. We have no plans at present to change the provisions of the Scheme.
