Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022
725. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that the details of the new forestry programme are not yet known in order for it to be marketed by stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52697/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra726. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is danger of further job losses in the private forestry sector if the details of the new forestry programme are not made available immediately to ensure that it is marketable now and in place to commence on 1 January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52700/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra729. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the projected loss in output in financial terms to private forestry companies who cannot engage in business due to the next forestry programme not being marketable at present, meaning that they have literally nothing to sell; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52725/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra730. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will offer financial supports to the private forestry sector to ensure companies remain viable, following delays within his Department to announce details of the new forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52726/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra731. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether it is acceptable that the details of the next forestry programme are not yet known to stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52733/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra732. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he intends to address the delay in announcing details of the next forestry programme in order that forestry companies can start selling the next package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52734/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra756. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) and provide an update on the new forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53111/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra771. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the new forestry programme will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53361/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra772. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a support scheme to support forestry in view of the delay in launching the new forestry programme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this delay has pushed many small businesses to the brink of closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53363/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra783. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the requirements of the forestry industry are being made in order to ensure the orderly development of Ireland’s forests and attention to the ongoing needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53536/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 725, 726, 729, 730, 731, 732, 756, 771, 772 and 783 together.
I am of the pressures impacting the forestry sector and met with representatives last week to explain progress towards finalising the new Forestry Programme for the period 2023 to 2027 and to reiterate my commitment to supporting the sector.
A thriving and resilient private forestry sector will continue to be central to the delivery of the Government’s forestry goal and I believe that the best solution to assisting the sector now is delivery of a well-resourced and ambitious forestry programme.
It is worth noting the considerable work that has been undertaken this year in developing a vision for a new future for forestry in Ireland. I am referring to the recently published Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050 which was informed by a series of extensive engagements and consultation. The Vision has informed a new Forestry Strategy for Ireland which has been developed by Working Group 2 of Project Woodland.
In parallel, a draft Forest Strategy Implementation Plan has also been developed to facilitate the initial steps in the implementation of the Forest Strategy . This Plan comprises a list of actions and measures and includes the Forestry Programme for the period 2023-2027 which will be the main implementation vehicle for the Forest Strategy in the immediate to short term.
The draft Forest Strategy and Forest Strategy Implementation Plan were published on Tuesday the 18th of October and are now subject to a 6-week public consultation process. This means that stakeholders and interested parties are aware of the measures and Schemes that are being proposed for the next Forestry Programme and may submit their feedback on all elements.
Alongside this public consultation process, my Department is currently engaged in detailed discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to agree funding. We are also in contact with European Commission and are initiating the process for State Aid approval for the new Programme.
I will publish the financial supports for the new Programme at the earliest opportunity. In parallel, once the public consultation process has been completed we will take account of submissions received to arrive at a final version.
As regards payment to forestry companies and forest owners, we have to date this year paid out over €61.5 million which is a significant, fully Exchequer funded, investment in forestry. This is broadly in line with payments for the same period in 2021. We will continue to deal with payments in a timely manner, as has been our practice to date.
Specifically, as regards the Frost Reconstitution scheme, approvals are issuing daily. We expect to receive applications for payments from the sector shortly and we will be issuing payments in respect of these applications promptly. We would expect where all requirements are met that there will be no delay in making payment under this scheme and the first payments will be issuing by end of this month.
In terms of liquidity, I have met the pillar banks this week to highlight clearly that we are about to deliver on a new Forestry Programme and to reiterate how central the forestry sector is to Government policy.
I am firmly committed to introducing a well - funded Forestry Programme which both meets the needs of society and that of the sector, and this will provide guaranteed long-term investment in the sector.
