Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2021
265. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the decision not to include ash plantations that are 25 years old and are diseased in the reconstitution and underplanting scheme when there is clear evidence these diseased plantations have little or no commercial value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28832/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Reconstitution and Under-planting Scheme was developed by the Department in order to provide the forest owner with a broader range of silvicultural and management options in support of the ash dieback impacted plantation. The scheme opened for applications in June 2020 and, to date, there have been over 304 applications with 61 approved.
The decision not to allow older and more mature plantations (17m top height or >18cm dbh or >25 years old) access to the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme is based on the position that these plantations have grown to these dimensions and will accordingly be of merchantable value.
