Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2023
556. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the forestry section of Teagasc will hold information meetings nationwide to assist forest owners impacted by ash dieback who have forests with dying, dead or rotten trees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25695/23]
View answer560. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has briefed an organisation (details supplied) on ash dieback disease; if he will mobilise the organisation to hold information meetings for forest owners impacted by ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25699/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 556 and 560 together.
A total of €9.2 million has been expended to date on the reconstitution schemes that my Department has offered for Ash Dieback. These schemes include supports to restore forests planted under the afforestation scheme which had suffered from, or which were associated with plants affected by disease.
Last month, an Interim Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback via general de minimis was launched which contains a doubling of site clearance rates, increased grant rates and an improved premium regime. The interim scheme includes the following enhanced features:
• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate, increased from €1,000 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.
A scheme document outlining all details is available at gov.ie - Forestry Grants and Schemes (www.gov.ie). A similar scheme for the reconstitution of ash dieback will be launched as part of the new forestry programme and does not offer assistance for the removal of roadside trees.
Teagasc Forestry Development Department run information events throughout the year covering all aspects of forestry and address ash dieback queries at these events as they arise.
Teagasc run events specifically on ash dieback and a series of videos has been produced covering the issues around ash dieback, which is available to view on the Teagasc website along with other information.
All Teagasc forestry advisors are available nationwide to provide one to one support to forest owners and inform them of their options and the implications of these options in relation to their ash plantations.
In term of the organisation named it has been allocated funding in 2023 by the Department to reinforce forestry as an attractive land use option among farmers, and to highlight the environmental benefits of forestry in addressing climate change challenges and associated environmental threats.
Once the new Programme is launched there will be a dedicated promotion and information campaign to encourage uptake of all schemes amongst farmers, current forest owners and other landowners.
