Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1113. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the level of engagement with forestry and farmer groups regarding the reconstitution and underplanting scheme (ash dieback) since the introduction of the scheme in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17279/23]
View answer1114. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he would consider the fast-track processing of all licence applications under the reconstitution and underplanting scheme (ash dieback); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17280/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1113 and 1114 together.
The Deputy may be aware that the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback Disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineaus) in Ireland was made on 12 October 2012 at a forestry plantation site in County Leitrim which had been planted in 2009 with trees imported from continental Europe.
In March 2013 the Department introduced a Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara Ash Dieback) to restore forests planted under the afforestation scheme which had suffered from, or which were associated with plants affected by disease.
Following a Review of the National Response to Ash Dieback Disease arising from scientific advice and evidence that eradication of ash dieback disease is no longer feasible the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash Dieback) was launched in June 2020.
A total of €8.9 million has been expended to date on both schemes. These schemes included a grant for site clearance as well as replanting.
The introduction of the legislation to remove the requirement for planning permission for Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme projects less than 10 ha in size that involve the replacement of broadleaf high forest with conifer species came into law on 14 December, 2022.
This legislative change is a welcome development and will simplify the process for a large cohort of applications on hand, which will lead to an increase in RUS approvals being issued by DAFM.
Earlier this month, Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has responsibility for the sector, launched an Interim Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback via general de minimis which contains a doubling of site clearance rates, increased grant rates and an improved premium regime. The interim scheme includes the following enhanced features:
• 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 will be aware that my Department is working closely with the EU Commission to secure State Aid approval for the new forestry programme. A scheme for the reconstitution of ash dieback will be launched as part of that programme and it is likely that this new scheme will be similar to the interim scheme.
Applications continue to be processed so that they can transition into the new Programme as seamlessly as possible when it opens.
I, along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, have regularly met with landowners whose forests have ash dieback, along with the IFA, IFO and ITGA and am aware of their concerns and I will continue to work to address them.
We have recently concluded a public consultation on the next Forestry Programme on which submissions from many stakeholders were submitted and are being fully considered. The Programme, as part of the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan, is subject to public consultation as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment process for a six week period which closed on the 29th of November. My Department is currently integrating feedback from more than 150 submissions on the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan received through that process and in parallel is in discussions with the EU Commission on securing State Aid approval for the new Programme.
Both my Department and I continue to engage with all stakeholders on the measures that will be considered for the new Forestry Programme. I am satisfied that the FPG is fully representative of all relevant stakeholders from across the forestry sector.
More recently we have conducted a number of different bilateral meetings with relevant stakeholders including those from the forestry sector to update on the plans for implementation of the Forestry programme and progress in securing the EU State Aid approval. We continue to keep any interested stakeholders updated on these as it progresses.
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 having regard to the age and stage of the rotation of the almost 16,000 hectares of ash that were grant aided between 1999 and 2013.
