Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2023
281. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the supports that are available from his Department to public bodies to plant trees on publicly owned lands; if such supports are available to community and voluntary organisations to carry out similar work on grounds to where they have access to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49196/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 launched in September providing significant supports for afforestation offering landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options and species mixes. The Scheme offers generous incentives to landowners, covering 100% of the cost of establishing a forest and offering increased premia rates. I am pleased to advise that, following recent changes to State Aid guidelines, public bodies may now avail of grants and premia for all forest types, subject to meeting the conditions of the Scheme.
Forest Type 3 ‘Forests on Public Lands’ has been specifically created to encourage the planting of new native woodlands on suitable publicly owned bare land. In addition to the establishment grant and fencing grant and premia that are offered for all 12 Forest Types, FT3 offers payments for Trails, Seats and Signage and Forest Playground Equipment. A Derelict Site Grant can also be availed of support specific operations necessitated by the site’s status as a former landfill or brownfield site.
Forest Type 4 ‘Neighbourwoods’ supports the development of attractive close-to-home woodland amenities (or ‘neighbourwoods’) for public use and enjoyment and may be attractive to community and voluntary organisations. The scheme is available to both public and private landowners, working in partnership with local communities.
An afforestation target of 8,000 hectares per year has been set out in the Climate Action Plan and in order to achieve this it will be necessary to engage with all landowners. It is my intention that the Afforestation Scheme, of which a key objective is the expansion of the national forest estate on both private and public land, will deliver for society, for landowners and for the forestry sector in Ireland.
