Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2022
338. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the exact methodology applied by his Department in determining a 20% forestry grant increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58589/22]
View answer340. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will detail the difference in rates for afforestation grants in the next forestry programme between that contained in a report (details supplied) and the rates as recently published by the Forest Service of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58591/22]
View answer346. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Forest Service of his Department is meeting an academic (details supplied) following their published report, particularly in connection to afforestation grant rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58610/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 338, 340 and 346 together.
I can advise the Deputy that a number of meetings have taken place with the academic in question.
A meeting took place this week between Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) officials and stakeholders, including this academic, in relation to afforestation grant rates.
The Deputies will be aware that DAFM has secured funding of €1.3 billion for the Forestry programme 2023-2027. This will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme ever in Ireland and provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income and help to meet national climate and biodiversity objectives.
Increases in premiums for planting trees from between 46% to 66% are proposed along with a longer term of 20 years for farmers. Grant rates for forest establishment are also showing increases around 20%. It is hoped that these substantial increases will incentivise behavioural change and re-engage landowners and farmers in particular with forestry.
DAFM was mindful of cost-of-living pressures in determining both grant and premium levels whilst working within the parameters and framework of the public expenditure code. In setting rates., DAFM's decisions were underpinned by the Coford report, “Economic Activity and Employment levels in the Irish forest Sector”. The setting of the grant rates considered the various operations, labour, costs and overheads involved in the establishment of forests. The DAFM grant rates do not include fencing grants or the Environmental report grant which will be announced shortly. Both payments are additional to the basic grant rate and the entire grant package is a significant support measure for landowners and in turn those working in the sector.
The grant and premium package was formulated to optimise the incentivisation of tree planting and deliver on climate action targets and has the potential to deliver economies of scale to the forest industry. Cost benefit analysis of the new Grant and premium rates shows a very attractive rate of return, most especially for farmers, and heralds a new and exciting period for forestry in Ireland. The new Forestry Programme will drive a new and brighter future for forestry, for farmers and for our climate. The new Forestry Strategy (2023 -2030) and the Programme 2023-2027 provides an unprecedented opportunity for DAFM, the forest industry and stakeholders to promote, encourage and facilitate forestry as a realistic, attractive and profitable land use option and deliver significant societal benefits.
