Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1282. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if alder does not qualify for the deer tree shelter, hare and deer fencing scheme in both plots and as additional broadleaves in other forest type plots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1749/24]
View answer1283. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm that the Forestry Service will not fail or ask for remedial actions where deer have damaged or eaten alder planted as additional broadleaves under the afforestation or reconstitution programme as alder is not eligible for the deer tree shelter, hare and deer fencing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1750/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1282 and 1283 together.
The Deer Tree Shelter, Hare and Deer fencing scheme assists applicants to protect forests which may be susceptible to damage by deer in the vicinity. Alder, however, is generally not considered palatable for deer to eat and therefore is not susceptible to deer damage in the same way other broadleaf trees are susceptible.
For this reason Alder was deemed ineligible under the Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027 and its predecessor programme for this scheme.
