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Forestry Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 November 2021

Wednesday, 10 November 2021

Questions (263)

Richard O'Donoghue

Question:

263. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial supports that will be given to encourage landowners back into forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54789/21]

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Written answers

I am pleased to report that this year’s Budget delivered strong support for Forestry with the indicative allocation of over €100m for 2022.

This funding allows us to continue to fund the establishment of new forests which has been highlighted as one of the targets in the recently published Climate Action Plan 2021.  Afforestation will play an important role for realising our 2030 climate ambition, and is contributing to achieving carbon neutrality no later than 2050.

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 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 course of the Programme so far.

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 encourage landowners to consider the planting of forests 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.

The new Forestry Programme will focus on the importance of climate smart forestry and new afforestation will be encouraged in pursuit of commercial, climate, water, and biodiversity objectives.

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