Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
970. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of any analysis which has been conducted in County Wicklow to determine the extent of the spread of Ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28007/23]
View answer971. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers and individuals in Wicklow who have availed of the Ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28008/23]
View answer972. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to expand the Ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28009/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 970 to 972, inclusive, together.
The Deputy may be aware that the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback Disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineaus) in Ireland was made on 12th October 2012 at a forestry plantation site which had been planted in 2009 with trees imported from continental Europe.
The fourth cycle of Ireland’s National Forest Inventory (NFI) was completed in 2022. The purpose of the NFI is to record and assess the extent and nature of Ireland’s forests, both public and private, in a timely, accurate and reproducible manner. Results of the NFI show that Ash Dieback is now widespread and was noted to be present at 34,395 ha of forests visited.
In March 2013, a Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara Ash Dieback) was introduced 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) (RUS) was launched in June 2020.
The purpose of the RUS scheme was to clear all ash trees and replant with other species. Grants for site clearance and replanting to cover the costs associated with these operations were provided and premiums continued to be paid where the contracts were still in premium.
My Department has expended over €9 million to date on both schemes, covering almost 6,500 hectares of grant aided ash to date. There are 21 applicants availing of the scheme in County Wicklow.
In March this year, Minister Hackett introduced 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:
• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate 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.
Unfortunately, Ash Dieback is now endemic in our countryside. As I have stated, to date, my Department has provided over €9m in support to landowners with infected plantations by removing and replanting their sites with alternative species. As we approach 10 years of these supports, I have listened to the concerns of landowners, and Minister of State Pippa Hackett has this week tasked an independent group to review existing Department Ash Dieback supports. The group will review the existing and previous supports available to landowners with ash plantations funded under the National Forestry Programme which are now infected with Chalara and will make recommendations on these supports to the Minister within three months.
The group will comprise three members of the Project Board overseeing the implementation of Project Woodland:
• Ms. Jo O’Hara, former CEO of the Scottish Forestry Commission
• Mr. Jerry Grant, former Managing Director of Irish Water
• Dr. Matt Crowe, former Director of the EPA
Jo O’Hara, Jerry Grant and Matt Crowe have been immense assistance in helping to deliver Project Woodland and I am grateful for their willingness to take on this additional task.
It’s important with the upcoming introduction of a new Forestry programme that farmers continue to have confidence in the Forestry schemes and this review will be very timely. Consultation with stakeholders will be an essential part of the Review and the Group will be in direct contact with stakeholders to ensure that their voice is heard. I expect to receive the group‘s final report by 15 September after which I will fully consider its recommendations.
