Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 March 2022
172. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends increasing afforestation grant rates immediately for both existing and new projects given the serious increases in costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16996/22]
View answerThe current Forestry Programme, which commenced in 2015 and has been extended to the end of 2022, provides significant supports for afforestation. This includes grants and premiums for 12 different planting categories in order to promote a good species mix and the grant rate were calculated to cover 100% of the cost of establishing a forest. The current Programme was subject to a midterm review in 2018 which assessed the rates paid for all forestry schemes and increased the grants for all 12 categories of afforestation..
As 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. 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 on-line portal is open since 16th March, 2022. Stakeholders will have an opportunity to raise any issues that they feel need to be addressed, including cost increases, with the Department. Work on the next Forestry Programme will include a review of grant rates and the Department will examine current forestry operational costs during that process.
In the meantime, the Department is introducing an enhanced payment for applicants and forestry companies to acknowledge the additional cost of submitting the various environmental reports where required. This will be delivered through a higher payment made when planting is complete.
The Department is very conscious of the afforestation target of 8,000ha per year set out in the Climate Action Plan and I am committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade.
Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has responsibility for the sector, I am committed to having a fit-for-purpose sector.
