Over the last number of years the Department has operated a Reconstitution Scheme to restore forests established under its afforestation schemes back to their original form following significant damage by natural causes. The Scheme has been used to assist forestry owners who have been affected by Ash dieback disease. The objective of the Scheme is to eradicate/contain ash dieback in forests by supporting the removal and destruction of trees and leaf litter and to reconstitute the forest by replanting with alternative species. The Scheme provides funding in respect of costs necessarily incurred in clearing the site and reconstituting the forest, subject to the maximum limits laid down.
Due to financial pressures and Departmental budgetary constraints, grant aid was confined to individual forestry owners. Accordingly forestry or hedgerow associations have not been funded.
The Scheme is therefore targeted at the forestry sector and there are currently no plans to either broaden the scope of the Scheme or to introduce any other Scheme for individuals or nurseries that have been affected by outbreaks of plant diseases including ash dieback.
My Department continues to provide funding for the development of the horticultural industry including commercial nurseries through the Horticultural Grant scheme.