Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
1017. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise what measures are being taken to address low planting levels in 2024 as a result of a low number of approvals for afforestation licences in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14880/24]
View answerMy Department has published a Forestry Licensing Plan which outlines our strong commitment to issuing licences in 2024 and we have put additional resources in place to achieve our targets. Afforestation applications would need to be around 1,000 applications per year to achieve 8,000 hectares. However, the number of licences issued ultimately depends on the number of applications received. My Department has capacity to issue sufficient licences in 2024 to plant 8,000 hectares.
The delay in receiving State Aid approval for the new Forestry Programme meant that we could not issue licences for grant-aided new forests until the introduction of the new Forestry Programme on 6th September, 2023 and this explains the lower than expected figures for approvals in 2023.
However, in recognition of the need for forestry activity to continue and pending the launch of the new Programme my Department introduced an Interim Afforestation Scheme. This allowed those with unused licences under the old Programme to use them by opting into a De Minimis scheme and availing of new and improved rates. In 2023 a total of 288 applications for 1,750 hectares were approved under the Interim Afforestation Scheme. Furthermore, those with licences under the old Programme, who did not opt for De Minimis, have the opportunity to opt into the new Afforestation Scheme. To date there have been 201 afforestation applicants, representing 1,635ha, that have availed of this option.
It is also worth noting that there is 2,757ha in total, currently available for planting under Afforestation Schemes. This is made up of approvals issued to new applicants since the Programme opened and those who applied or were approved under the old Programme, who have now opted-in to the new Programme.
I recognise that planting at the scale required is a challenge but believe that it is in all our interests to work towards this target. 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 afforestation options.
