Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023
499. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when full training on the requirements under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will be provided to the forestry sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42694/23]
View answerSignificant training requirements exist to support the delivery of the new Forestry Programme, and this work is already underway. My Department held two initial online information sessions for Registered Foresters on the new afforestation scheme in advance of its launch on 6 September. Further training is required in a number of areas, particularly land types identification. In-person and field training is being provided to Registered Foresters and other relevant professionals throughout October, and will be delivered regionally. In addition, a series of short webinars will be held to cover specific issues, in particular the use of new INET features, Native Woodland Establishment, the Deer and Tree Shelter Scheme, Forest Design, Forest Roads, and further Land Types Identification training and orientation. This training has commenced and we have written to registered foresters and other relevant professionals with details and times of future training events. Guidance documents such as Land Types for Afforestation and Environmental Requirements for Afforestation are also available on my Department's website, at the following link gov.ie - Regulation, Forest Health and Resources (www.gov.ie). An FAQ document on the Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 is available here gov.ie - Forestry Grants and Schemes (www.gov.ie).
