Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2023
487. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the new ash dieback scheme will be extended to forest owners who received the previous support but who have lost financially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21320/23]
View answerUnder the previous two reconstitution schemes for Ash Dieback a total of €9.2 million has been expended by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The Deputy will be aware that the my Department recently launched an interim scheme for the Reconstitution of Ash Dieback.
This scheme includes the following enhanced measures.
- 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.
- For non-farmers a top up payment of €300 per hectare calculated on the same basis.
A similar scheme for the reconstitution of ash dieback will be launched as part of the new forestry programme.
State Aid Guidelines provide for aid for the restoration of damage to forests caused by a variety of events including damage from disease and pests. State Aid rules are explicit that this aid is for restoration and does not facilitate compensation for loss including income.
We continue 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 1990 and 2013.
