Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024
518. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he intends to launch the native woodland conservation scheme as part of the new forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6645/24]
View answerI am pleased to say that the Native Woodland Conservation (NWC) Scheme was launched yesterday 12 February by my colleague Minister Pippa Hackett and is now open to new applications.
The scheme offers eligible private and public forest owners financial support for the appropriate restoration, conservation and enhancement of existing native woodland for sustainable forest management. This measure has been developed and implemented in partnership with Woodlands of Ireland, the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Heritage Council, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and other native woodland stakeholders.
Ireland’s native woodlands support a wide variety of ecosystem functions and services. They protect and enhance our biodiversity, and soil and water quality, while mitigating the challenges that we face through climate change. Through the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027, this new scheme supports forest owners to deliver these benefits. Increased grants of €6,000 per hectare for restoration and enhancement works have been introduced, along with an increased Payment for Ecosystems Services of €500 per hectare, paid over seven years. I am delighted that we can reward and support Native Woodland owners so that they can manage and conserve these forests for future generations to enjoy, and I encourage all native woodland owners to apply for the scheme to maximise the benefits of their forests.
Many of Ireland’s native woodlands have been under-managed. The NWC Scheme provides support to woodland owners to tackle such under-management, and to promote the sustainability of forest and woodland habitats, through appropriate restoration measures, which will be identified following a careful assessment of the woodland and its needs by an Ecologist and a Registered Forester.
The NWC scheme supports “close to nature” forest management that can bring environmental and climate benefits. It creates opportunities for implementing traditional forms of woodland management that form part of our countryside heritage, as well as for the provision of local amenities and opportunities for woodland interpretation and environmental education.
Those forest owners who applied for the Native Woodland scheme under the previous Forestry Programme 2014 -2020 , and who have not yet received approval, along with those with existing approvals under the previous scheme who have not commenced work, will receive correspondence advising them of their options in the coming week.
