Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2023
110. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the Government’s review of the independent review on ash dieback and its intended response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46726/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI commissioned an independent review of the Department’s Ash dieback support schemes in June 2023 to review the existing and previous supports available to landowners with ash plantations funded under the National Forestry Programme which are now infected with Ash dieback.
The Terms of reference for the Review included reviewing existing supports for Landowners affected by Ash Dieback in grant aided plantations; engaging with relevant stakeholders and landowners and making recommendations on the effectiveness of supports.
This grouping comprising Dr Matthew Crowe, Mr Jerry Grant and Ms Jo O’Hara have submitted their report to me last month and made thirteen specific recommendations.
The recommendations range from establishing a new paradigm, to process changes, a further Departmental review of state aid regulations and several financial recommendations within the context of that review.
I am currently considering the report in detail and intend to publish an implementation plan shortly.
In the meantime, several of the recommendations in relation to process and site clearance and grant costs as well as lessons to be learned are in hand through the New Forestry Programme and the Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback 2023-27 and I would encourage ash owners to engage with the new programme scheme and assure them that will not be disadvantaged by doing so.
For information, the new scheme contains the following features:
• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate, from €1,000 to €2,000;
• Enhanced replanting grant rates under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027;
• Therefore for clearing your site and replanting, currently under the new Programme the range of payment to landowners entering the scheme is from €5858 up to €10,555/ha
• In addition, those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years;
• Furthermore, In addition, for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.
Specialised training for stakeholders and information meetings for the public, as part of the communications for the new programme, will help communicate and explain the processes and the replanting options for ash and the generous terms of new reconstitution scheme.
Any new financial assistance will have to be compliant with State Aid regulations and the Code of Public Expenditure and these elements are currently being examined in detail by my Department.
I am confident that we can clear sites of dead ash and replant these areas with alternative species and move forward with the ambitious and well-funded new forestry programme 2023-2027.
