Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2021
469. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications approved under the reconstitution and under planting scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49049/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI'm acutely aware of the impact Ash Dieback has had on growers. The Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS – Ash dieback) provides the forest owner with a broader range of silvicultural and management options, than the previous Scheme.
An underplanting option has been introduced, whereby groups or bands of trees within the plantation would be felled and replanted but around 40 to 50% of the ash trees would be left standing. Forest owners who wish to avail of RUS, to clear fell all ash trees, would have to have a certain level of diseased trees before they can enter this scheme (and a lesser level of diseased trees to enter the underplanting element of the Scheme). The Scheme aims to compensate for the clearance costs and replace the trees. Compensation is not paid for the timber lost, therefore the tonnage of timber on sites is not available.
To date, the Department has accepted 383 applications for 1,566.18ha and to date, 124 of those have been approved for an area of 437.62ha.
