Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1163. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he intends to launch the revised ash dieback reconstitution scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is a national emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56365/23]
View answer1191. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what progress has been made with dealing with the ash dieback issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56512/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1163 and 1191 together.
A detailed Ash dieback action plan is being prepared by Minister of State Pippa Hackett for submission to Cabinet for approval in the very near future. This will outline comprehensive actions by my Department to deal with the issue of ash dieback. Detailed deliberations are taking place to ensure an efficient, appropriate and proportionate response.
As part of the Forest Strategy Implementation plan, the Minister is establishing a Forestry Strategy Consultative Committee (FSCC) to support this work. The FSCC will be formed in the coming weeks and members will be selected from a broad range of relevant stakeholders. This Committee will establish a range of sub-groups to inform its activities, and in this regard will convene a specific subgroup which will work as a task force to ensure a greater level of engagement and action on ash dieback and other forest health matters.
My Department launched the Reconstitution scheme for ash dieback under the new programme 2023-27 in July 2023 with the following enhanced 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;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.
My Department to date has issued approvals for 251 applications representing 971 hectares under this scheme. I would urge ash owners who have not yet availed of the scheme to assist them in clearing their sites and replanting, to do so now. They will not be disadvantaged in relation to any further initiatives under the action plan.
