Ivana Bacik
Question:1152. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on Coillte's examination of how better to work closely with farmers and to acquire land directly. [18087/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (1152)
Written answers
Under its new forestry strategic vision, Coillte has stated its aim to grow 100,000 hectares of new forests by 2050. While operational matters, including the acquisition of land, are the responsibility of the company, this vision will be key in supporting the delivery of one-third of Ireland’s afforestation target and providing a carbon sink of 18 million tonnes of CO2.
As you will be aware, under the new €1.3 billion Forestry Programme, premiums to farmers have been increased by between 46% and 66% over 20 years, while the afforested land will continue to qualify for the Basic Income Support Payment, so the Programme is very much orientated towards encouraging farmers to plant their own land.
We have asked Coillte to reflect on how specifically it can work more closely with the farmers and local communities to encourage a greater level of afforestation. Coillte is assessing what appropriate measures can be taken in this regard, that are complementary to the new forestry programme and the national forestry strategy.
For Coillte to create new forests directly, it needs additional land. My Department is working with Coillte to consider how this might be achieved having regard for funding and other issues.