Seán Sherlock
Ceist:37. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding Coillte has been allocated for 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38492/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 15 July 2021
Ceisteanna (37)
Freagraí scríofa
Coillte is a private commercial company established under the Forestry Act 1988 which operates in forestry and related activities and does not receive funding from the Exchequer by way of subvention or grant-in-aid. It has not been allocated funding under the Department's estimate process for 2021, nor will it for 2022. The Forestry Act provides among other things. that a principal object of the company is to carry on the business of forestry and related activities on a commercial basis
Coillte's Annual Report illustrated a solid financial performance in 2020 with the company succeeding in keeping wood and wood products moving in a challenging year, doubling and tripling visitor number to forest sites due a renewed interest in the outdoors and reforesting over 9,000 hectares.
While we do not fund Coillte, they may apply under certain Department funded schemes from time to time, in accordance with EU State-Aid rules. These include grants for afforestation and for approved applications under forestry support schemes aiming at improving the resilience and environmental value of forest ecosystems, such as the Native Woodland Conservation and the Woodland Improvement Schemes.
Furthermore, under the Coillte Nature initiative to create native woodlands and restore habitats in order to enhance ecosystem services, my Department intends to fund a pilot scheme for the establishment of native woodlands on cutaway industrial bogs. Coillte are currently partnering with Bord na Mona on this project and we expect to receive an application for this work in the very near future.
I also believe that Coillte can play a role in other afforestation initiatives under the Government's ambitions plans for climate action. I have asked them to consider what role they could play and to come forward with ideas for increasing new afforestation and I expect to hear from them soon on this.