Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
478. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of further information requests sent by the Forestry Service of his Department in relation to the ash dieback RUS scheme since the launch of the current scheme on a weekly basis in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51032/22]
View answer479. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of further information requests for harvest plans in relation to the ash dieback RUS scheme that were sent out by his Department since June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51033/22]
View answer480. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the length of time that the ash dieback RUS applications were in the system which were sent further information requests for harvest plans since the launch of the current scheme in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51034/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 478 to 480, inclusive, together.
Since the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, my Department has provided support totalling over €7 million to owners of ash plantations impacted by disease through the Reconstitution Scheme (Ash Dieback) (introduced in 2013) and more recently the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS – Ash dieback) introduced in July 2020.
Since 2020, 826 applications have been received. Some 198 in 2020, 626 in 2021 and two in 2022. We have approved 321 to date and currently have 504 on hand.
There were 120 further information requests to applicants issued in the last two weeks for RUS projects where it is proposed to replant with broadleaf species, this was predominately for mapping issues. I am informed that FIRs will also be issued shortly for RUS projects where it is proposed to replant with conifer species and where harvest plans are needed.
We continue to process cases which are not affected by the requirement for planning permission. The legislation to remove the requirement for planning permission for Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme projects less than 10 ha in size is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and I understand that his Department is progressing this matter. I am hopeful that the legislation can be introduced once the statutory processes have been finalised.
