Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1258. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the intended first-year allocation for the forestry programme 2023-2027; the intended annual allocation for each year thereafter until 2027; and the percentage of this with regard to the overall €1.3 billion allocation to the programme. [37626/23]
View answer1259. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the intended allocation for each of the 12 forest types under the forestry programme 2023-2027; the annual allocation for each year from 2023-2027, and across the lifetime of the programme; and if this information can be provided in tabular form, by forest type. [37627/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1258 and 1259 together.
I am delighted to advise that all aspects of the new Forestry Programme are now approved and the Afforestation Scheme opened to applications on the 6th September 2023.
The total budget secured for the entirety of the Programme is €1.3 billion. This has a number of different components, including legacy payments and payments beyond 2027 to cover grants as well as premiums due to applicants who have made a 15 or 20 year commitment.
The agreed Forestry budget for 2023 and the estimated annual allocations for the remaining 4 years of the Forestry Programme are included below:
|
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
|
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
|
€112.4m |
€119m |
€123.1m |
€133.4m |
€139.6m |
The total indicative budget for the period 2023-2027 is €627.1 million, which is 48% of the overall €1.3 billion. It is important to note that the annual allocations indicated for the years 2024 to 2027 are indicative only, and the final allocation for these years will be decided as part of the annual budgetary process.
As regards the Afforestation Scheme, there is an 8,000 hectare annual afforestation target which will be demand led with no cap on individual Forest Types. For the purposes of determining the financial budget for the years 2023-2027, the 8,000 hectare target was broken down into the likely take-up across a range of forest types by landowners. The figures provided for annual allocation purposes are provided in the table below.
|
- |
Forest Types |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
|
FT1 |
Native forests |
€8,683,925 |
€10,283,275 |
€11,882,625 |
€15,420,875 |
€17,020,225 |
|
FT2 |
Forests for water |
€2,466,475 |
€2,694,875 |
€2,923,275 |
€3,442,075 |
€3,670,475 |
|
FT3 |
Forests on Public Lands |
€1,507,825 |
€1,507,825 |
€1,507,825 |
€1,921,975 |
€1,921,975 |
|
FT4 |
Neighbourwoods |
€494,725 |
€551,825 |
€608,925 |
€793,525 |
€850,625 |
|
FT5 |
Emergent Forests |
€166,375 |
€183,875 |
€201,375 |
€250,125 |
€267,625 |
|
FT6 |
Broadleaf, mainly oak |
€1,799,375 |
€2,058,625 |
€2,317,875 |
€2,998,625 |
€3,257,875 |
|
FT7 |
Diverse Broadleaf |
€1,327,750 |
€1,571,000 |
€1,814,250 |
€2,327,125 |
€2,570,375 |
|
FT8 |
Agroforestry |
€849,375 |
€946,875 |
€1,044,375 |
€1,355,750 |
€1,453,250 |
|
FT9 |
Seed Orchards |
€48,723 |
€54,433 |
€60,143 |
€78,353 |
€84,063 |
|
FT10 |
Continuous Cover Forestry |
€4,864,200 |
€5,593,800 |
€6,323,400 |
€8,137,200 |
€8,866,800 |
|
FT11 |
Mixed high forests: Conifer, 20% broadleaves |
€2,121,800 |
€2,467,000 |
€2,812,200 |
€3,602,600 |
€3,947,800 |
|
FT12 |
Mixed high forests with mainly spruce, 20% broadleaves |
€18,833,153 |
€22,298,323 |
€25,763,493 |
€33,708,765 |
€37,173,935 |
A further €555m has been estimated to account for payment of grant and premium commitments until 2046 for forests that are established between 2023 and 2027 through the Forest Creation measures in the new Forestry Programme.
I am committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade. I believe that the increased incentives on offer to farmers demonstrates the Government's continued commitment to farmers and rural communities.
