Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
64. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the measures for the forestry sector in Budget 2022; and the measures that will be taken to make the sector more attractive to new entrants. [50770/21]
View answerI am pleased to report that this year’s Budget delivered strong support for Forestry with the allocation of over €100m for 2022. Having secured such strong funding I look forward to using the funding for the planting of trees which is at the centre of our climate strategy.
The current Forestry Programme 2014-2020 (extended to end 2022) provides significant supports for afforestation and includes 12 different planting categories to promote a good species mix and covers 100% of the cost of establishing a forest. The scheme also pays an annual premium to the landowner of up to €680 per hectare payable each year for 15 years.
Measures included in the programme are voluntary and comprise the main Afforestation Scheme (incorporating Native Woodland Establishment, Agro-Forestry and Forestry for Fibre), as well as a variety of support schemes to help forest owners with the management of their forests, including timber mobilisation.
This approach has resulted in over 28,000 hectares of forestry having been planted on private lands during the Programme so far.
The money will also help to progress the programme of reform and delivery of a new forest strategy which is happening under Project Woodland.
As the Deputy may be aware, Project Woodland was launched in February this year and one of its key objectives is the creation of a shared national vision for forestry and the development of a new Forest Strategy for the future of forests in Ireland.
This includes an extensive and inclusive public consultation, which has been approved by the Project Board and will be undertaken as a matter of priority. I would like to invite everybody with an interest in forestry in Ireland to actively contribute to this consultation process.
The measures that will be taken to make the sector more attractive to new entrants will be discussed as part of this consultation process and the development of the new Forest Strategy, which will be the enabler of the next National Forestry Programme, which is due to commence in 2023.
