Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
481. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be a new ash dieback scheme for impacted owners available from January 2023 in the new forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51035/22]
View answerSince the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) 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 introduced in July 2020.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department are currently developing a new Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which will include the next Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027.
It is planned to continue offering support through the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme in the next Programme subject to State Aid approval and sanction from the Department of Expenditure and Reform.
The Forest Strategy Implementation Plan is subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment process, and this will include public consultation on the draft Plan and Environmental Report. This consultation will commence next week, and we welcome feedback from stakeholders.
