Forestry Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022

Tuesday, 25 January 2022

Questions (668)

Michael Lowry

Question:

668. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of reconstitution and underplanting scheme applications submitted to his Department in 2021; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no approvals for the scheme were issued in 2021, given many section 5 exemptions were forwarded by farmers as requested by his Department; the reason no reconstitution and underplanting scheme approvals were issued in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2874/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In 2021, my Department received 310 applications under the scheme for 1,341ha. It is not true to say that no decisions were issued for this Scheme in 2021, as 165 applicants received approval to manage 488ha of ash plantations.

An issue that has arisen with the scheme is that many applications where the applicant has proposed to replace the ash crop with conifer species require Planning Permission from the Local Authority in addition to approval from DAFM. My officials are currently engaging with their counterparts in DHLGH to reassess this requirement. This work is ongoing.