Forestry Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2023

Thursday, 28 September 2023

Questions (232)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

232. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 755 of 20 September 2023, and specifically his reply that "although other fence types can be more expensive to erect than stock fences, the financial cap of €880 per hectare still applies when IS436 fences are erected", if he will clarify whether the fencing grant and cap does not cover 160m of fencing other than stock fencing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42021/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 provides significant grant increases across all forest types, including increases in the eligible rates per metre for each type of fence erected, as well as an increased maximum financial cap per forest.

The rates detailed in the fencing grant table follow the same format as the rates described in the previous Forestry Programme. You will note that the financial caps have increased to €50,000 per forest, and the density of fencing is now increased to 160 metres per hectare when IS436 stock-proof fencing is erected. This is the most generous forest fencing grant my Department has ever introduced.

The maximum cap for IS436 fencing has also been increased from €600 to €880 per hectare and was calculated using a density of 160 metres per hectare at a rate of €5.50 per metre. The cap of €880 per hectare applies to stock fencing, Stock/sheep fencing and stock rabbit fencing.