Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022
677. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether there is an immediate need to increase the afforestation grant in line with the recent increase in the TAMS grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2903/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, Project Woodland was established in February 2021 to ensure that the current licensing backlog is addressed and that a new impetus is brought to woodland creation in Ireland.
A national shared vision for the future of Ireland's trees and forests and a new Forestry Strategy are currently being developed by Working Group 2 of Project Woodland. This new Forest Strategy will underpin a new Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027.
An extensive public consultation process on the new strategy has commenced and stakeholders will have an opportunity to raise any issues that they feel need to be addressed with my Department.
Work on the next Forestry Programme will include a review of grant rates and my Department will examine current forestry operational costs during that process.
