Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 May 2023
244. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the new forestry programme application; the expected timeframe for the commencement of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22297/23]
View answer246. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if recent ongoing engagement between his Department officials and the European Commission will ensure the application for state aid approval will be ratified without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22299/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 246 together.
The new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Forestry Programme of 2014-2020 (extended to 2022) which expired at the end of 2022.
My Department has been engaging intensively with the Commission over the last few months.
Once State Aid approval that has been received we will be in a position to launch the new Programme, pending finalisation of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, which I am assured is nearing completion.
In addition, my Department recently received State aid approval through the Agricultural Block Exemption Regulation (EU) 2022/2472 for some of the measures in the draft Forestry Programme 2023-2027.
These include the Forest Road Scheme, Innovative Forest Technology Scheme, Reconstitution Scheme, Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback, Forestry Knowledge Transfer Groups (KTGs), Training Call for proposals, Forest Promotion and Continuous Professional Development. My Department are now accepting application for forest roads and for the Innovative Forest Technology Scheme – Module 2: Investment Aid for the Development of the Forest Tree Nursery Sector. We are examining the possibilities to open a number of the other schemes for applications very shortly.
I launched the Interim De Minimis scheme for afforestation and roads to help bridge the lacuna between the old and new Forestry Programmes. As you are aware, there are 1,023 approved afforestation licences with 7,591 ha ready for planting and to date over 1,600ha hectares have been approved for planting under the Interim De Minimis scheme.
I assure you that the launch of the new €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is a matter of the utmost priority for me and my Department.
