Seán Sherlock
Question:751. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if new forestry grant rates are in line with inflation since 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39871/23]
View answerWednesday, 20 September 2023
Questions (751, 752)
Seán Sherlock
Question:752. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if grants for afforestation cover 100% of costs associated with establishing a plantation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39872/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 751 and 752 together.
The new forestry programme 2023-27 will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme ever in Ireland, and provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income, and help to meet national climate and biodiversity objectives.
The published proposed grant rates for each of the forest types reflect the overall direct costs of establishing a range of different types of forests. These rates have been agreed with DPENDR and have been approved under State Aid regulations by the European Commission.
|
Forest Type |
New Grant Rate |
Fencing Rate |
Grant + Fencing |
|
|
FT1 |
Native Forests |
€6,744 |
€2520 |
€9264 |
|
FT2 |
Forests for Water* |
€6,744 |
€2520 |
€10264 |
|
FT3 |
Forests on Public Lands** |
€11,044 |
€2520 |
€13564 |
|
FT4 |
NeighbourWoods*** |
€10,200 |
€2520 |
€12720 |
|
FT5 |
Emergent Forests |
€2,500 |
€2520 |
€5020 |
|
FT6 |
Broadleaf, mainly oak |
€6,744 |
€2520 |
€9264 |
|
FT7 |
Other Broadleaf |
€4,314 |
€2520 |
€6834 |
|
FT8 |
Agroforestry |
€8,555 |
€2520 |
€11075 |
|
FT9 |
Seed Orchards |
€10,000 |
€2520 |
€12520 |
|
FT10 |
Continuous Cover Forestry |
€5,421 |
€2520 |
€7941 |
|
FT11 |
Mixed High Forests: Conifer, 20% broadleaves |
€4,452 |
€2520 |
€6972 |
|
FT12 |
Mixed High Forests with mainly spruce, 20% broadleaves |
€3,858 |
€770 |
€4628 |
Native Tree Area Scheme will be paid at FT1 and FT2 rates.
* Additional payment of €1,000 per ha will be paid to landowner on completion of planting
** Grant includes Trails, Seats & Signage Facilities and Derelict Site payment
*** Grant includes Facilities payment
In setting rates my Department's decisions were underpinned by the COFORD report “Economic Activity and Employment levels in the Irish forest Sector”. The setting of the grant rates considered the various operations and labour costs and overheads involved in the establishment of forests.
The grant and premium package was formulated to optimise the incentivisation of tree planting, and to deliver on climate action targets, in particular by encouraging uptake amongst farmers.
Question No. 752 answered with Question No. 751.