Written Answers Nos. 777-796
777. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of land sold or transferred by Coillte in each county in each of the years 1988 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4569/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I have referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
778. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline his efforts to secure amendment to EU state-aid rules that would allow State-owned companies such as Coillte to avail of grant aid under the Forestry Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4570/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra782. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the revised State-aid rules allow for Coillte and other public bodies to access afforestation premiums funded exclusively through national resources. [4582/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra783. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are any provisions under the revised State-aid rules that exclude Coillte and other public bodies from accessing afforestation premiums which are funded exclusively through national resources; and if he will indicate the relevant provisions in relation to same. [4583/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra784. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the types of State-aid for afforestation that Coillte and other public bodies may be eligible for under the revised State-aid rules; and the costs of the establishment of forest and woodland and annual premiums per hectare for maintenance and income foregone. [4584/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 778, 782, 783 and 784 together.
Under their new forestry strategic vision, Coillte have stated their aim to grow 100,000 hectares of new forests by 2050. While operational matters are the responsibility of the company, this vision will be key in supporting the delivery of one-third of Ireland’s afforestation target and providing a carbon sink of 18 million tonnes of CO2.
Historically afforestation premia were provided for under European Council regulation 2080/92 and were available to both farmers and non-farmers. Lower maximum rates applied in the case of non-farmers. Within this regulation, non-farmers were defined as any other private, natural or legal person. I would draw your attention to the landmark 2003 ECJ judgement for case No. 339-00 where it was held that, “as a public undertaking Coillte Teoranta was not eligible to receive aid to compensate for a loss of income arising from forestation”. This has resulted in the fact that Coillte to date, has not been eligible to receive aid to compensate for a loss of income arising from afforestation from my Department.
Ireland's current Forestry Programme regimes require State Aid to implement and operate under the Guidelines in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas. These guidelines expired on the 31st of December 2022 and have now been replaced with a revised version as of the 1st of January 2023. My Department has submitted comments during this revision period with a focus on ensuring that these guidelines reflect the best interests of land-owners within Ireland. Please note that the main drivers of the revision of this regulation were to align the State aid rules to the new Common Agricultural Policy (EU) 2021/2115. This has removed explicit references in the related areas to public and private landowners, and therefore specific submissions on this topic were required. Further details of the consultation can be located at competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/public-consultations/2022-agri_en
The next Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is currently being assessed by the Commission within this framework. Where land is in private ownership, whether farmer or non-farmer, it is proposed to be eligible for grants and premiums under the new Programme, as is currently the case under the existing programme.
My Department is currently working intensively towards securing full State Aid approval.
Without prejudice to this ongoing deliberative process, clarity will be sought on specific scenarios and details of possible claimants under this Programme. This includes the possibility for Coillte to be a direct beneficiary of forestry premiums under the Programme.
779. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown of the amount of his Department’s pre-committed capital expenditure under the National Development Plan that will be dedicated to forestry in each of the years 2023 to 2025, in tabular form. [4579/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra785. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of the recently announced €1.3 billion Forestry Programme between capital and current funding in each of the years 2023 to 2025 and 2026 to 2027, in tabular form. [4585/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra786. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown of the amount of the recently announced €1.3 billion Forestry Programme that is pre-committed capital funding within his Department’s capital ceiling under the National Development Plan in each of the years 2023 to 2025, in tabular form. [4586/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 779, 785 and 786 together.
The Deputy is aware of the €1.3 billion funding that I secured for the new programme. The table below outlines the planned capital and current expenditure in the years 2023-2027. The Capital allocation from 2024 onwards will be determined as part of the annual budgetary process, with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A significant increase in allocation has already been provided for 2023 in this regard.
The Deputy will note that the allocation and projected spending in each year includes provision to discharge the liability on the current Afforestation Scheme and older Legacy Schemes. The remainder funds the new afforestation programme and support schemes.
|
|
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
|
Capital |
€108,415,000 |
€113,983,148 |
€118,223,622 |
€129,004,136 |
€135,159,221 |
|
Current |
€4,000,000 |
€4,972,000 |
€4,901,000 |
€4,442,500 |
€4,442,500 |
|
Total |
€112,415,000 |
€118,955,148 |
€123,124,622 |
€133,446,636 |
€139,601,721 |
780. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under subhead B10 of the Revised Estimates for 2023, in tabular form. [4580/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2023 budgetary allocation for B.10 Forestry & Bioenergy amounts to €112.415m.
The capital allocation includes €49 million already committed to discharge the liability on the current Afforestation Scheme and older Legacy Schemes. The remainder will fund the afforestation programme and support schemes such as roads and reconstitution under the new programme.
The current allocation includes provision for legacy schemes and payments in addition to provision to implement the interventions in the new programme for developing skills and empowering people for sustainable forest management, including the Knowledge Transfer Scheme, promotion and training and new woodland support schemes. The allocation is broken down in the table below.
|
2023 Subhead Format |
2023 Allocation |
|
|
B.10 |
Forestry |
112,415 |
|
Current |
4,000 |
|
|
Capital |
108,415 |
|
|
Afforestation |
103,613 |
|
|
Forestry Support Scheme Current |
2,860 |
|
|
Forestry Support Scheme Capital |
3,300 |
|
|
Forestry Development Current |
900 |
|
|
National Forest Inventory (inc IForis) Capital |
100 |
|
|
Other Forestry Support Measures. Current |
240 |
|
|
Other Forestry Support Measures. Capital |
1,393 |
|
|
Bio Fuels Establishment Grants (willow/myscanthus) |
7 |
|
|
Bio Fuel - National Top up Grant |
2 |
781. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of hectares of land disposed of by Coillte, by year and by county, since 1988; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4581/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I have referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
Question No. 786 answered with Question No. 779.
787. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the person who signed the shareholder letter of expectation to Coillte on 2 June 2022 on behalf of the State; the details of the letter; if the letter will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4587/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies requires that Government Departments should ensure that they have written oversight agreements with State bodies under their aegis which clearly define the terms of the State body’s relationship with the relevant Minister/parent Department.
For commercial State bodies the oversight agreement between the relevant Minister/parent Department and the State body is the Shareholder Expectation Letter.
A Shareholder letter of Expectation issued from Minister Hackett to Coillte on 2nd June 2022, as the powers and duties conferred on the Minister by the Forestry Act 1988 have been delegated to Minister of State Hackett under S.I. 40 of 2021. The Shareholder Letter was co-signed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath.
I am looking at the potential release of the letter subject to the standard issues around commercial sensitivities. I will review this matter together with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and inform the Deputy and other interested parties of our decision in due course.
789. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of land that has been purchased to date in Ireland for use in the new forestry deal between Coillte and a company (details supplied); where is this located; and the amount it cost. [4618/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra793. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on what date and by whom from Coillte was the first communication between Coillte and a company (details supplied). [4622/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 789 and 793 together.
Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I have referred these matters to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
791. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide for the dates and attendees he and or his junior minister have had with Coillte since they took office, in tabular form. [4620/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince taking office there has been several meetings with Coillte, myself and the Minister of State.
The list of meetings are as follows
Minister McConalogue
8th September 2020
meeting with Coillte and Minister McConalogue
Wednesday 10 February 2021
Meeting with Coillte and Minister McConalogue
Friday 7 May 2021
Meeting with Coillte , Minister McConalogue Minister Hackett (webex)
Thursday 8 July 2021
Meeting with Coillte
Friday 13 January 2022
Meeting with Coillte , Minister McConalogue Minister Hackett (webex)
Thursday 19 January 2023
Meeting with Coillte , Minister McConalogue Minister Hackett
Minister of state
7th July 2020
17:45 Ag house Meeting with Coillte and Minister Cowen
27 July 2020
Meeting with Coillte Minister Calleary Webex @ 18:15pm
8th September 2020
18:00pm meeting with Coillte and Minister McConalogue
29th October 2020
@ 10:00am meeting with Coillte and Minister McConalogue
03 November 2020
Presentation by Coillte Nature via Webex @ 16.30pm
11 December 2020
Coillte tree planting Dublin Mountains Ticknock @ 11.00am
Wednesday 10 February 2021
11:30 - 12:30 meeting with Coillte and Minister McConalogue
Thursday 18 March
13:00 - 13:45 Meeting With Coillte .
Tuesday 30 March
11:00 - 12:00 Coillte
Monday 12 April 2021
12:00 - 13:30 Coillte & Minister Ryan (Zoom)
Friday 7 May 2021
11:30 - 12:30 Meeting with Coillte , Minister McConalogue Minister Hackett (webex)
Monday 31 May 2021
10:00 - 13:00 Visit to Avondale Wicklow Coillte (Wicklow)
Friday 13 August: 2021
10:00 - 11:00 Coillte/AXA Launch/Photocall (Cruagh Forest/Carpark)
Monday 22 November 2021
11:00 - 12:30 MoS meeting Imelda Hurley Coillte (Conference Room A)
Wednesday 24 November 2021
13:30 - 14:00 Coillte / EBS photo call (Government buildings )
Thursday 13 January 2022
12:00 - 13:30 Meeting Coillte - Imelda Hurley & Mark Carlin (Virtual)
Thursday 27 January 2022
16:00 - 17:00 Minister Ryan Coillte (zoom )
19 January 2023
12.00pm Meeting with Coillte , Minister McConalogue Minister Hackett.
795. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when did his advisers or any of the Minister for State’s advisers become aware of the forestry deal between Coillte and a company (details supplied). [4624/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from the Minister and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I am, therefore, not in position to comment on any operational issues relating to the establishment of the new investment fund. Neither my Department nor myself were involved in the establishment of the Fund.
In relation to the issue of balanced afforestation, this Government has committed €1.3 billion to the new Forestry Programme. The primary aim of the Programme is to enable Ireland to use its potential for afforestation to help meet its national emission reduction and biodiversity obligations while, at the same time, supporting the forestry sector and farm families. This is biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme ever introduced by any Government here, and it has been designed to ensure that farmers will be its primary beneficiaries.
Coillte advised the Department of its intention to increase its afforestation during the development of their new Forestry Strategic Vision, which was launched on 21st April 2022. In meetings with Minister of State Hackett and myself as well as our officials dating back to 2021, Coillte indicated that it would be an enabler of new afforestation through the Coillte Nature initiative for planting native woodlands and through their involvement in Afforestation Funds focussed on commercial forestry. The confirmation to Minister Hackett and I as well as our respective offices that this Fund was operational and the identity of all parties to the deal came in a letter sent by Coillte to my Department on 16th December 2022.
Coillte will not sell any existing publicly owned forests to the fund, nor will Coillte seek to purchase any other public land on behalf of the fund. Any land purchased by the fund will already be in private ownership, and no private landowner will be forced to sell land to the fund. The scale of the new planting envisaged is such that Coillte does not expect the establishment of the fund to have an impact on the price of farmland, nor indeed is it in any way in the interest of Coillte or the fund to drive up land prices at a time that they are seeking to acquire land.
Senior representatives of Coillte met with myself and Minister Hackett on 19th January and outlined their intention that the Irish Strategic Forestry Fund will plant an average of 700 hectares of new forests across each of the next five years. They advised that the total area of new forests planted through the fund will deliver roughly 3.5% of the 100,000 hectares of new forests Coillte has committed to enabling by 2050. They further outlined that the Fund is one of a number of models Coillte will deploy in contributing to the States overall forestry targets. The Government has been clear that this is not our preferred model for delivery of the afforestation targets and we have asked Coillte to consider a range of options and revert to us with some ideas for other delivery models.
796. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will meet with a sectoral group (details suppled) to discuss the incoming forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4702/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may be aware that last year, my Department published for the first time a Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050 which was informed by a series of extensive engagement and consultation. One particular strand of the consultation included bilateral meetings with key Forestry stakeholders. This was in addition to other strands such as a public attitudes survey, a community engagement survey and a youth dialogue forum. This Vision then informed a new draft Forestry Strategy for Ireland, which was developed via Working Group 2 of Project Woodland.
In consideration of this, a draft Forest Strategy Implementation Plan was also developed to facilitate the initial steps in the implementation of the Forest Strategy. This Plan 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. This Forestry Programme is designed to provide lasting benefits for many key areas such as climate change, biodiversity, wood production and employment alongside enhancing societal benefits.
Four bilateral meetings took place with members of the Forestry Policy Group (FPG) and details of the Programme development were presented to all members of the FPG in June 2022. I am content that the FPG is fully representative of all relevant stakeholders from across the forestry sector.
The Forestry Programme is also currently subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment (SEA/AA) process. As part of this process, the draft Forest Strategy Implementation plan, containing the Forestry Programme was published on the 18 October 2022 for a six-week period of public and stakeholder consultation. My Department is currently analysing and integrating feedback from more than 150 submissions on the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan.
In addition, my Department has recently already held a number of bilateral meetings with established organisations from the forestry and farming sectors, to update them on the ongoing work to secure State Aid approval for the incoming Forestry programme.
Therefore, I am satisfied that members of all relevant stakeholder groups have already contributed to the important work of Project Woodland and to the development of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 and are consulted on a regular basis.
