Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 October 2016
16. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to expand national forestry coverage as a measure to battle climate change; the role of Coillte Teoranta in these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21592/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Forest inventory of 2012 estimated forest cover at 731,650 ha or 10.5% of the total land surface of the country. In terms of total forest cover the target is 18% by 2050. The inventory is repeated every 5 years and the 2017 inventory is currently underway.
The current Forestry Programme, covering the period 2015-2020, ensures continued state support for the two key objectives of increasing forest cover and wood mobilisation. Almost €500 million of investment over the six year programme period will facilitate an increase in forest cover by almost 44,000 hectares over the period of the Programme. The level of afforestation grant and premiums, allied to the tax treatment of income from forests provide good incentives for land-owners to plant a proportion of their holding. Forests established in the period since 1990 are forecast to remove up to 4.5m tonnes per annum of carbon dioxide over the period 2021–2030.
Climate change mitigation also occurs when forest-based biomass replaces fossil fuels for heating or power generation. This helps to reduce the dependence on imported fossil fuels. The new Forestry for Fibre scheme allows landowners to plant fast growing species for fuel supply into local heating markets and for CHP and other energy uses. Support for thinning and forest road building will also help mobilise forest-based biomass for heat and power uses.
Coillte will also work with my Department in implementing a viable afforestation model which will contribute towards meeting this objective. Furthermore Coillte will continue its programme of reforestation following harvest, thereby contributing to carbon sequestration over the longer term.
