Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2023
356. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine who is responsible for carrying out the Strategic Environmental Assessment relating to the Forestry Programme 2023-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31722/23]
View answer357. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the Strategic Environmental Assessment relating to the Forestry Programme commenced; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31723/23]
View answer358. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the economic viability of an industry is considered as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31731/23]
View answer359. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current position or stage of the Strategic Environmental Assessment relating to the Forestry Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31732/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 356, 357, 358 and 359 together.
As the Deputies may be aware, the new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Programme which expired at the end of 2022.
The new Programme will benefit farmers, rural communities and our overall climate and environment.
The new Programme is subject to State Aid approval under the Guidelines in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas from the European Commission. It is also subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment process, which is well advanced with my Department and their service partner Arup. The draft SEA Environmental Report acknowledges the economic impact of forestry and the commitment in the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan to the sector.
Once State Aid approval has been granted, the Strategic Environmental Assessment can be finalised, after incorporating any relevant outcomes of this process.
