Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
407. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if plots and plantations (details supplied) are eligible for the ash dieback grant aid scheme; if the owner needs to secure a felling licence for the non-ash broadleaf species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51006/23]
View answerAll grant-aided private forest owners with Ash dieback are eligible to apply for the Reconstitution of Ash dieback scheme.
Through the Reconstitution Scheme financial support can be made available for:
a. Site clearance: This involves the clearance of ash trees and associated operations in order to present the site for reconstitution.
b. Reconstitution: This involves the replacement of ash trees with alternative species following ash clearance.
The exemption for felling licences will apply for ash only under this scheme in accordance with article 19(1) c (i) of the Forestry Act 2014, therefore an owner will need to secure a felling licence for the felling of non-ash species.
