Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
477. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a scheme or grant can be offered to assist a person (details supplied) to replant forestry that was burnt in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22526/24]
View answerI am sorry to hear of this forest being damaged by fire. The burning of vegetation is controlled by the Wildlife Acts. It is an offence under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (amended by Section 46 of the Wildlife Act, 2000) to burn, from 1st March to 31st August in any year, any vegetation growing on any land not then cultivated. Individuals who are found to burn vegetation within that prohibited period are liable to prosecution by An Garda Síochána or by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
My Department has issued reminders to all landowners in relation to illegal burning of agricultural lands, and any land found to have been burned illegally can be deemed ineligible across a number of area-based schemes. My Department monitors fire activity and risk throughout the main risk period between March and September, using a variety of means at our disposal, including satellite detections and ground inspections.
As regards forests my Department supports planting by covering 100% of the costs to establish a forest, and pays an annual premium for up to 20 years to the forest owner and such payments are income tax free. Once the forest has been established it is then the forest owners responsibility. In these circumstances and as fire is an insurable risk my Department does not provide grant-aid to re-establish forests damaged by fire.
