Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 March 2023
384. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that as per Circular 4 2023, there are no new premiums available to owners impacted by ash dieback whose forests are out of the original afforestation premium payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14552/23]
View answerCircular 4 2023 referred to by the Deputy announced interim arrangements for Ash Dieback reconstitution. Minister of State Pippa Hackett launched this scheme whilst detailed discussions continue with the Commission to secure EU State Aid approval for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027.
The Interim Reconstitution Scheme for Ash-Dieback (via General De Minimis) is offered to those applicants that on 31/12/22 held a valid technical approval for the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) but have not commenced reconstitution work and do not wish to wait until the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027.
Features of the scheme are:
- Enhanced site clearance grant rate, increased to €2,000.
- Enhanced grant rates as per draft Forestry programme 2023-2027
- Those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years.
- In addition, for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.
The Deputy is correct to note that the interim scheme does not contain any new premiums for those sites out of premium. However, applicants for the interim scheme will not be precluded from benefitting from more attractive conditions under the new forestry programme.
The Deputy will be aware that the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback Disease in Ireland, my Department has spent a total of €8.9 million to date on ash dieback reconstitution schemes and grant aided almost 16,000 hectares of ash between 1990 and 2013. The Deputy will note that these ash plantations were at different stages in the rotation period, with a significant number out of premium and where some timber benefit may have been enjoyed. Forest premiums are paid for income foregone on land and in the case of approximately 8,500 hectares of ash planted the full premium period for which state aid approval was received has been paid.
My Department continues to review the operation of the ash dieback scheme, having regard to its effectiveness, the status of the plantations, state aid regulations and other issues.
The interim scheme recently introduced contains improvements over previous schemes and is designed to facilitate works being carried out during the current planting season.
