Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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941. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how much of the announced €1.3 billion for forestry that is from core expenditure; how much additional funding is in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27307/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is aware of the €1.3 billion funding that I secured for the new programme which will be made available through the National Development Plan. The table below outlines the planned capital and current expenditure for 2023. The Capital allocation from 2024 onwards will be determined as part of the annual budgetary process, with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with due regard to legacy liability and projected demand.

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. This is particularly important to note in respect of forestry which pays premiums for periods from fifteen to twenty years. The remainder funds the new afforestation programme and support schemes.