Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
777. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify a series of matters (details supplied) in relation to the afforestation scheme 2023-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40272/23]
View answer779. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of tree shelters that must be erected for a one-hectare example forest of FT12 to protect the 20% broadleaf component, by area; the grant that will be payable under the deer tree shelter, hare and deer fencing scheme for this one-hectare example forest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40275/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 777 and 779 together.
I fully appreciate that there is a lot of detail in the new forestry programme and would like to assure the Deputy that my Department is more than happy to provide clarification on the details of the new forestry programme to stakeholders and to update the FAQs accordingly.
The Deer Tree Shelter rate of €1,600 per hectare applies to all the pure broadleaf forest types 1-7. Question 37 of the FAQs refers to the support available to protect the 20% broadleaf component in Forest types 10,11 and 12. The rate for this is €625 per hectare.
FT12 is a forest type that is offered through the Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 launched under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027. In the scenario outlined the number of deer tree shelters that must be erected to protect the 20% broadleaf component would amount to 125. tree shelters.
In addition, within their FT12 afforestation application, the applicant can avail of either stock, stock/sheep or stock/rabbit fencing with a maximum grant of €880 per hectare.
We plan to launch the Deer tree shelter, Hare and Deer fencing scheme this week and full details will be available in the scheme document which will be published on www.gov.ie/forestry.
