Written Answers Nos. 1241-1260
1241. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if contract for the replacement of aircraft in the Garda air support unit has been put out to tender; and if so, the deadline for accepting tender offers for the provision of new aircraft in the Garda air support unit. [39302/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the procurement, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda equipment. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The Government is, however, committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of over €2 billion for An Garda Síochána which includes funding to procure a new fixed wing aircraft.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Prior Information Notices (PINs) for the procurement of Rotary (helicopter) and Fixed Wing Aircraft were published in December 2022.
I am also informed that following legal advice, for reasons of state security, the tender processes are being progressed pursuant to the derogation set out in Regulation 9(b) of the European Union (Award of Contracts Defence and Security) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 62 of 2012).
I am advised that, as a result, details of the tender process are not available at this stage. I am also advised that details of any contracts awarded will, in due course, be published on completion of the processes.
1242. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice the reason delays have arisen in the resumption of Garda services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39303/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including all decisions related to the Garda Estate. As Minister, I have no role in such matters and am unable to seek to direct, or otherwise influence, the Commissioner in regards to these matters.
I am however advised by the Garda authorities that the proposed works remain under consideration and will be the subject of ongoing review by the Commissioner.
1243. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if additional measures will be introduced to deal with the scourge of drugs throughout the country, impacting on every community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39435/23]
View answerAt the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that tackling drug dealing and associated criminal activity, including by organised crime groups, is a top priority for An Garda Síochána and this Government.
An Garda Síochána continues to work closely with international partners to combat transnational crime and has already had significant success in this regard.
Given the global nature of the drugs trade, international law enforcement co-operation remains a key element in the overall response. An Garda Síochána has strong and strategic partnerships in place at international level targeting drug trafficking, including working closely with relevant law enforcement agencies such as INTERPOL and Europol and participating in the Maritime Analysis Operations Centre for Narcotics (MAOC-N) based in Lisbon.
An Garda Síochána continues to target those involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs through Operation Tara, which has a strong focus on tackling street-level dealing across the country. Operation Tara also focuses on disrupting and dismantling the drug trafficking networks that impact on our communities and prosecuting those involved at every level.
Some recent successes of Operation Tara include the seizure of over €1.5 million in cocaine and cash in Dublin and Meath in June as part of an intelligence-led investigation targeting organised criminal activity. More recently, a search last week by Gardaí from the Meath Divisional Drugs Unit resulted in the seizure of eleven bags of cannabis herb with an estimated value of €120,000. Gardaí in Clare also seized €107,500 worth of drugs, mainly suspected cocaine, during a search last week as part of Operation Tara.
The record budgetary resources allocated to An Garda Síochána in recent years have enabled the Garda Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime, including the Armed Support Unit, GNDOCB, the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).
The Garda Commissioner has also tasked an Inspector in every Garda Division to respond to the issue of drug-related intimidation. There are currently 30 nominated Garda Inspectors appointed to act as liaison officers for the Drug-Related Intimidation Reporting Programme, covering each Garda Division.
The Deputy may also be aware that the Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol strategy "Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025". This strategy represents a whole-of-Government response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland.
The implementation of the strategy is led by the Minister for Health and the Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy. However, the strategy includes actions for all stakeholders, including my Department and An Garda Síochána.
The strategy recognises the need for a balanced health-led approach - reducing demand, while also reducing access to illegal drugs - and is aimed at reducing the number of people criminalised for the possession of drugs for personal use. While this strategy supports vulnerable people who use drugs, it is also matched with strengthened enforcement measures across Government to tackle the supply of illegal drugs.
1244. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is part of the Government policy that Teagasc are suggesting that the suckler herd will have to be reduced by 29% by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37227/23]
View answerThe figure referred to by the deputy is an economic projection, using the Teagasc FAPRI-Ireland model of the Irish agricultural economy, of how farming suckler cows will, in aggregate, evolve in response to economic signals over the period to 2030. This baseline projection assumes no change in agricultural or other policy that directly affects agricultural production in Ireland or the EU.
1245. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason bonds are so high for person's (details supplied) looking to install a forestry road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37250/23]
View answerThe application referred to by the Deputy was withdrawn, as a further information request from 2019 was not replied to. Approval did not issue from my Department. The bond that the Deputy refers to was part of the planning permission that was granted by the Local Authority, and is a matter for that body.
Should the applicant involved wish to reapply for a road licence under the new Forestry Programme, this site would be subject to the single consent system which was introduced in the intervening years. My Department worked closely with the Department of Housing to bring an amendment to the Planning and Development Acts to facilitate a more efficient application process for forest roads. In February 2020, Section 8 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 was commenced and the Forestry (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 2020 (SI No. 39 of 2020), were signed. This legislation made provision for my Department to act as the single consent authority for applications for forest road works licences, where the forest road provides access to a public road (other than a national road) or there is material widening of an existing entrance. Forest owners wishing to carry out such works no longer require a grant of planning from their local authority.
The Forest Roads Single Consent system is supported by Government of Ireland documents Requirements for Forest Entrances from the Public Road, and the Technical Standard for the Design of Forest Entrances from the Public Road.
None of the aforementioned legislation, technical or administrative instruments contain or reference a requirement to pay bonds for forest road applications. These do not form conditions of forest road licence approvals.
1246. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's role in the funding of a newly recognised organisation under the fishery producer organisation scheme as provided for by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund regulation (REGULATION (EU) No 508/2014); the number of organisations that have been refused funding under 'Article 66 4; the Member State concerned may grant an advance of 50% of the financial support after approval of the production and marketing plan in accordance with Article 28(3) of Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013'; the number of organisations that have been affected by his refusal, if he has refused funding; if it is normal to refuse to fund part of the scheme when approved by the relevant department and passed by the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37258/23]
View answerProducer Organisations (POs) are funded under a scheme as part of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Programme. Part A of the scheme provides supports of up to €55,000 to groups of fisheries or aquaculture producers working to achieve recognition as a PO. Part B of the scheme supports POs that have been recognised by this Department, up to a maximum of almost €100,000, for eligible expenditures specified in the scheme.
Part B of the scheme provides funding for eligible expenditures retrospectively and on submission and approval of a PO's Production and Marketing Plan and Annual Report. These payments are based on Simplified Cost Options, which are essentially fixed grants based on the past grant history of the beneficiary, or where a PO has no track record, actual expenditure in the previous year. There is no provision in the scheme to make advance payments.
Article 66 of the EMFF Regulation (508/2014) allows the Managing Authority for the EMFF Programme to avail of a partial derogation, in that a 50% advance may be paid after approval of the Producer Organisations PMP. However, this derogation was not included in the terms of the Producer Organisation scheme, adopted at the outset of the Programme by the EMFF Monitoring Committee, of which the POs are members.
The Article 66 derogation was not availed of as advance payments require the sanction of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and in the absence of official data in the form of grant history, the derogation was not considered to be workable in practice as there is no data on which to base a 50% advance.
There are seven Producer Organisations which have been or are currently eligible to apply for support under the scheme. None of these have been refused support for eligible expenditures which fall within the parameters of approved scheme.
Representations have been made by one organisation in particular to make advance payments, which cannot be accommodated under the current scheme as outlined above.
1247. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress on the commencement of 2023-2027 forestry programme; and to address the continuing delays in obtaining forestry licences. [37314/23]
View answer1261. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the measures his Department is taking to address ongoing issues with afforestation and felling licensing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37629/23]
View answer1321. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38821/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1247, 1261 and 1321 together.
The new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 replaces the previous Programme which expired at the end of 2022. This new programme supports the largest, most farmer-friendly investment in forestry in the history of the State. The entire programme was approved by Government on 6th September and the new Afforestation Scheme opened to applications on that date, while the forest roads scheme, the Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme and other support schemes are also open. Other support schemes will be opened on an ongoing basis in the weeks and months ahead.
During the period that State Aid approval was awaited, my Department did not accept or issue grant aided afforestation and road licences, but continued to issue felling licences. In addition, non-grant aided road and afforestation licences continued to issue. To date, 124 non-grant aided roads licences and 12 non-grant aided afforestation licences have issued. Furthermore, 2,085 felling licences have issued, equating to 24,402 hectares. The volume of wood available from these licences amounts to 6,491,422 cubic metres.In recognition of the need for forestry activity to continue, and pending the launch of the new Programme, my Department introduced an Interim Afforestation Scheme, an Interim Forest Road Scheme and an interim Ash Dieback Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme via General De Minimis.
This ensured that those with valid afforestation licences issued before the end of 2022 could avail of the current planting season under the higher grant and premium rates proposed under the new Programme. Likewise, those with valid road licences and approvals under the Ash Dieback Scheme at the end of 2022 could avail of the higher grants and enhanced payment rates as proposed under the new Programme.A total of 288 applications have been approved under the Interim Afforestation Scheme, representing 1,750 hectares. Under the interim roads scheme, 159 approvals have issued representing 70,222 metres, while under the interim RUS scheme, 27 approvals have issued in respect of 107 hectares. It is my intention to publish a licensing plan imminently, which will encompass the remainder of 2023 and 2024. In addition, my Department continues to invest heavily in additional resources, including ecology resources. Currently my Department employs eight permanent ecologists and 22 full time equivalent contract ecologists. We are committed to continual improvement and will continue to work to ensure that our systems are as efficient as possible in order to facilitate a well-functioning licensing system.
1248. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what measures his Department and relevant agencies intend to put in place to support farmers and rural communities which have experienced flooding in recent months, such as communities located on the Shannon that experienced flooding, resulting in significant damage to crops and silage production; how his Department is engaging with other relevant Departments to prevent flood damage to agricultural areas in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37330/23]
View answerMy Department is aware of the issues and challenges for the Agri- sector this year due to higher than normal rainfall during the summer months. This includes communities around the Shannon and indeed other areas such as the difficult harvesting conditions for tillage farmers.
I would like to highlight that my Department paid out €56 million in funding to farmers under the 2022 Fodder Scheme in response to the Ukraine crisis. A further €30 million has been paid to farmers under the 2023 Fodder Scheme and which supported the production of fodder on Irish farms over those years.
My Department is represented and participates fully in the Shannon Flood Management Working group lead by OPW.
My Department has no direct role in the management of water levels along the Shannon waterway, however, officials at the highest level participate in the Shannon Flood Risk State Agency Co-ordination Working Group. This Working Group was established in early 2016 by the Government to enhance on-going co-operation across all of the State Agencies involved with the River Shannon. The Working Group is focused on ensuring the best possible level of co-ordination between all of these statutory bodies. It is solutions focused and designed to deliver the highest level of efficiencies to add value to the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. The Working Group is building on the existing work and commitment of all the State Agencies involved in flood risk and continues to enhance the ongoing co-ordination and co-operation between members.
1249. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if force majeure (details supplied) is taken into consideration in determining whether an applicant for the suckler carbon efficiency programme is determined to be a new entrant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37340/23]
View answerThe objective of the SCEP is to provide support to suckler and beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd.
As stated in the Terms and Conditions of the programme, “New Entrants to suckler farming” shall mean an applicant that commenced suckler farming in 2021, i.e. calved and registered an eligible calf for the first time since 1st January 2021. As the person named calved and registered an eligible calf prior to 2021, he was not considered a new entrant.
The advice given to herdowners was to submit a SCEP application online and then seek a request for a review of their reference numbers outlining the reason why in their view they should be considered as a new entrant including any relevant supporting documentation. My Department has no record of receiving an application or any correspondence in relation to the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) from the person named. The closing date for submission of online applications to SCEP was 23.59hrs on 22 May 2023. Should he wish to do so, the person concerned can submit correspondence requesting my Department to consider acceptance of submission of an application to participate in SCEP. This can be sent to scep@agriculture.gov.ie or to Beef Schemes, Direct Payments Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois. R32 RPA6.
1250. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement he has had with the British Government and their Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) regarding the import of grain into the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37400/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that I have not had any recent engagement with the British Government and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in relation to the import of grain from the United Kingdom.
1251. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the status of farm payments in the name of a person (details supplied); if there are payments due to the herd owner; if there are restrictions on the herd owner relative to animal welfare issues that disqualify them from farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37429/23]
View answerI can confirm that the named applicant is up to date with BPS Payments (the 2022 BPS Balance Payment issued on 01 December 2022) and GLAS Payments (2022 GLAS Balance Payment issued on 19 May 2023); The matter raised by the Deputy is under investigation, and therefore I cannot comment.
1252. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for capital expenditure running €84 million behind profile, as outlined in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37470/23]
View answerTwo capital investment schemes that have contributed to capital drawdown being behind profile are the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) and the Forestry Programme.
TAMS is a demand led scheme which means that expenditure is contingent on work being completed and payment claims being submitted within a given time period, usually within a year of approval. To date for 2023, a lower level of payment claims were received than projected. It is possible that the more favourable reference costs and higher grant rates in TAMS 3 may be driving applicants with existing approvals in TAMS II to hold off on purchases in favour of TAMS 3.
The Forestry Programme 2014-2022 expired in December 2022. Since then, my Department has been in intensive discussions with the European Commission to have a new programme sanctioned under State Aid Rules. This approval was received in August 2023 and the afforestation programme is expected to be launched and open for applications in September. This has also impacted on capital expenditure to date.
1253. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if information technology issues are preventing the targeted agriculture modernisation schemes (TAMS) 3 applications from being processed in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37503/23]
View answerThe Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.
The scheme has proved very popular, with an unprecedented level of applications received under Tranche 1 (almost four times the average number received per tranche under TAMS 2).
There are a number of factors affecting the speed of application processing, including the very high volume of applications received and the fact that we are implementing new administrative and IT support systems.
Applications received across all of the TAMS 3 measures are currently being processed. Once the initial processing is completed all applications will be subject to a ranking and selection process, which is a regulatory requirement for all applications.
All eligible applications will then proceed to further detailed processing, with approvals issuing to successful applications once that process is complete.
To help with the processing of the huge number of applications, I have decided that farmers who require the construction of slurry and manure storage facilities, or urgent animal welfare related investments required for the winter of 2023/2024, may apply for priority approval up to 15 September 2023.
1254. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will publish the intended allocations for the new €9.5 million support package from the European Commission; if he will confirm if the Government intends to top up the funding by the 200% allowed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37558/23]
View answerMy Department is actively considering how best to utilise the available funding recently allocated by the European Commission for the provision of exceptional support for the agricultural sectors affected by specific problems impacting on the economic viability of agricultural producers.
1255. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on discussions around designated herd owners; if consideration has been given to allowing an additional named person on a herd given challenges resulting from the current rules where only one named herd owner is allowed; particularly with regard to farm partnerships and in relation to schemes aimed at women in agriculture and young farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37559/23]
View answerA herdnumber is an administrative device, issued by my Department for the purposes of disease control. A herdnumber, therefore, does not imply ownership of lands, ownership of any animals tested or kept under that herdnumber or entitlement to payments under any schemes operated by my Department.
There are two roles associated with a herdnumber - a herdowner and a keeper.
Under existing criteria, it is possible for more than one person to be registered as herdowner. This system has been in place for many years. There is a standardised process in place for registering the interests of other persons, companies or institutions in the role of herdowner. The form ER1.1 used for this purpose can be found here gov.ie - Apply for a flock or herd number (www.gov.ie)
Amendments to a herd number must be requested in writing to the relevant Regional Veterinary Office. If there is more than one person named as a herdowner, then the appropriate request to change details must be signed by all relevant parties.
The role of keeper however can only be assigned to one natural person over the age of 18. This is to ensure that one natural person is assigned clear responsibility and accountability for the health and welfare of the animals.
Officials in my Department have engaged with stakeholders on their concerns regarding designated herd numbers. My Department will continue to consider this important issue and ensure relevant stakeholders are kept informed.
1256. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of permanent full-time equivalent staff in the forestry division within his Department, by grade, role and function; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37623/23]
View answerWe need to compile the numbers required by the Deputy and will revert later this week with the information.
|
Grade/Role |
Number |
|
Assistant Principal |
7 |
|
Clerical Officer |
41 |
|
Director |
1 |
|
Engineer Grade 3 |
2 |
|
Executive Officer |
39 |
|
Ecologist |
7 |
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 1 |
12 |
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 2 |
10 |
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 3 |
42 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
15 |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Senior Inspector |
2 |
1257. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ecologists recruited to the forestry division of his Department in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37625/23]
View answerIn order to ensure that forestry licenses granted are fully compliant with the Appropriate Assessment process, my Department has invested in additional ecology resources since 2019.
On the 1st of January 2021 there were eight ecologists directly employed by my Department in the Forestry Inspectorate Division. In February 2021 an additional one ecologist was employed, bringing the total in 2021 to nine. No ecologists were recruited in 2022 or to date in 2023.
One ecologist resigned from their position in May 2023, so the current total of ecologists directly employed by my Department in the Forestry Inspectorate Division is eight.
My Department also employs contract ecologists. In 2021 the figure was 18 and currently there are 22 contract FTE ecologists working on forestry licences and forestry schemes.
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.
1260. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if supports to address Ash dieback, equivalent to the reconstitution and underplanting scheme and otherwise, will be funded under the new forestry programme 2023-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37628/23]
View answerI am pleased to state that the reconstitution scheme for ash dieback is open for applications under the new Forestry Programme 2023 - 2027. This scheme includes the following enhanced features:
• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate, from €1,000 to €2,000;
• Enhanced replanting grant rates under the new 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.
In addition, my colleague, Minister of State Pippa Hackett, has tasked an independent group to review existing Department supports for Ash Dieback. The group has a remit to review the existing and previous supports available to landowners with ash plantations funded under the National Forestry Programme, to engage with relevant stakeholders to seek their views on the current supports for ash forest owners. It will make recommendations on these supports very shortly.
