Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022
819. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether there is a real and urgent need to increase the afforestation grants and second instalment grants on existing forests to counter real and dramatic increases in costs similar to that which occurred in the TAMS situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5925/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, Project Woodland was established in February 2021 to ensure that the current licensing backlog is addressed and that a new impetus is brought to woodland creation in Ireland.
Through the Project Woodland process, my Department is proceeding to pay for an ecology report submitted with an afforestation application, when paying for the establishment of the plantation on a pilot basis. This is to support the applicant in the preparation of habitat maps or similar documents when an application is submitted on their behalf, whilst exploring the feasibility of more permanent options.
A national shared vision for the future of Ireland's trees and forests and a new Forestry Strategy are currently being developed by Working Group 2 of Project Woodland. This new Forest Strategy will underpin a new Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027.
An extensive public consultation process on the new strategy has commenced and stakeholders will have an opportunity to raise any issues that they feel need to be addressed with my Department. Work on the next Forestry Programme will include a review of grant rates and my Department will examine current forestry operational costs during that process.
