Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022
764. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be any change to the grants for the construction of forest roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58742/22]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that my Department has recently secured funding of €1.3 billion for the Forestry programme 2023-2027. Subject to State Aid approval, this will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme to date in Ireland and provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income and also to help meet our national climate and biodiversity objectives.
We have announced proposed increases in premiums for planting trees which range from between 46% to 66% along with a longer term of 20 years for farmers. The Forest Road grant has also been reviewed and I intend to announce details of the proposed new payments shortly. The construction of forest roads is key to encouraging greater timber mobilisation and I am pleased that the next Forestry Programme will continue to support this.
