Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 February 2024
280. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he accepts that the issuance of afforestation licences is not keeping up with the number of applications being received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7065/24]
View answer282. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he accepts that the current rate of forestry planting will not allow for the national afforestation target 2024 to be met; what plans are in place to ensure meeting the target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7067/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 282 together.
The ambitious €1.3bn funded Forestry Programme 2023-2027 includes an annual afforestation target of 8,000ha and a number of attractive forest establishment options that will help to support this ambition.
The Afforestation Scheme offers landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options including Native Woodland, Continuous Cover Forestry and Emergent Forests. It provides generous incentives to farmers in particular, to re-engage with forestry. These include increases in premia rates ranging from between 46% to 66%, along with a longer premia term of 20 years for farmers, compared to 15 years for non-farmers, across most Forest Types.
To date in 2024 my Department has received 59 fully complete afforestation applications, with 59 afforestation licences also being approved in the same period.
Afforestation is a voluntary land use choice for landowners and building confidence among landowners of the benefits of forestry will be key to increasing afforestation rates on recent low trends. I am confident that the attractive and increased rates under the new Programme, coupled with 20 year premiums for farmers, will encourage strong uptake of these afforestation options.
