Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022
775. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Woodland Environmental Fund will continue in the next forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58869/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Woodland Environment Fund (WEF), which was launched in 2018, facilitates the planting of more native woodlands in Ireland. It does so by providing a platform that allows for businesses to get involved with landowners to help create new native woodlands. WEF funding is a once-off single payment of €1,000/ha paid by the business to the landowner in exchange for being associated with the individual native woodland.
The draft Forest Strategy and Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which includes the next Forestry Programme measures are subject to an ongoing 6-week public consultation process which concludes today the 29th of November. The continuation of the Woodland Environmental Fund is included as a measure in the Forest Creation Intervention of the draft Programme. Stakeholders and interested parties have had the opportunity to review the measures and Schemes that are being proposed and to submit their feedback.
I am committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade. As the Deputy may be aware, I have secured a package of €1.318 billion for forestry which will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme ever in Ireland and which will allow us to offer new and improved rates to those who undertake planting and sustainable forest management. I believe that the Woodland Environmental Fund is an initiative that can complement the attractive afforestation premium rates that will be offered by my Department by offering an extra incentive to landowners who make the decision to establish a new native woodland.
