Forestry Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023

Monday, 11 September 2023

Ceisteanna (1263)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

1263. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on the continuation of premiums under the reconstitution and underplanting scheme in 2022; how many premiums will be continued for the period remaining, by year, from one year to 20 years if applicable; how many recipients will have their premiums continued, by number of years remaining; how many recipients received a premium continuation or a change in GPC for a replacement species; if this information can be provided in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37632/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) has several payment stages, including the payment of a site clearance grant and a grant for re-planting (which is paid in two instalments). Where the original afforestation contract remains in premium, the annual payments are continued for the remaining period of the contract at the rate of the replacement species GPC.

Table 1 below shows the details of the site clearance grants and first planting grants paid in 2022.

Table 1

-			RUS Payments in 2022
	No of Contracts	Amount Paid	Hectares
RUS Site Clearance Contracts 2022	66	€185,410.00	185.41
1st Grant Contracts (Replanting)	74	€564,196.50	203.31

Table 2 shows the details of outstanding premiums for those 74 sites where replanting took place in 2022. The premium continues for those in premium at the replacement species rates.

Table 2

-	Outstanding Premium Payments for sites replanted in 2022
Remaining Payments	Number
8	2
7	7
6	5
5	2
4	4
3	1
2	4
1	4
Paid In Full (out of premium)	45
Total	74