Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022
878. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the environmental report grant as set out in circular 13/2022 will be payable on afforestation files planted in 2023 and payable in 2023 or afterwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51813/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the Department has recently published a Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050.
A new Forestry Strategy for Ireland is currently being developed. The draft Forest Strategy to 2030 has been shaped by the extensive public feedback received on the Vision over the last 12 months. This draft Forest Strategy will be subject to a period of public consultation, which is due to commence this week.
In parallel, the Department are also currently developing a new Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which will include the next Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027. The Forest Strategy Implementation Plan is subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment process, and this will include public consultation on the draft Plan and Environmental Report. We expect that this consultation will commence this week.
The Environmental Report Grant into 2023 and all grants and premium rates are currently being considered for the next Forestry Programme which is currently the subject of discussion between my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
