Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
896. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has explored the provision of EU supports to address financial losses experienced by farmers and forestry owners as a result of ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47543/23]
View answerMy Department explored all forestry funding options under state aid rules with the Commission during the process of securing state aid approval for the new €1.3 billion programme. We secured approval for an attractive and innovative Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback. This scheme includes the following 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; depending on forest type: for conifer forests (FT12) that is an additional €3,858/ha; if you chose to replant with native trees that is €6,744/ha, and €8,555/ha for agroforestry. In addition, grants of €2,880/ha are also available for Deer Fencing for FT 1 to 11.
• Therefore, for clearing your site and replanting, currently under the new Programme the range of payment to landowners entering the scheme is from €5,858 up to €10,555/ha.
• In addition, 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 November 2022, my Department sought the opinion of the Commission as to what costs are eligible for state aid and they confirmed that under the Aid for the prevention and restoration of damage to forests, compensation for loss of timber value or other financial loss is not eligible.
Minister of State, Pipa Hackett is currently reviewing the recently published Independent report of the Review Group established to review the Department’s response to ash dieback which included several financial recommendations.
