Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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108. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of land afforested in each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; his target for afforestation in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54991/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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In respect of afforestation rates and the amount of land that has been afforested in the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025, what is the target for this year and how does the Minister of State intend to increase substantially the level of afforestation in line with Government commitments?

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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Forests have an important role to play in mitigating climate change by sequestering and storing greenhouse gases. This can be achieved through the expansion of our forests and the increased use of timber products. In 2020 we planted 2,234 ha, followed by 2,016 ha in 2021, 2,073 ha in 2022, 1,651 ha in 2023 and 1,573 ha in 2024, and so far this year we have planted 2,297 ha. I have personally contacted a large number of those landowners who have valid licence approvals and have not as yet planted, encouraging them to take that next step. I am confident that we will reach nearly 3,000 ha by year-end.

I am sure the Deputy will praise me highly when I reach that target and, instead of shouting at me, he will be my biggest advocate and backer to say that I achieved such a thing.

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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I will not.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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My Department will therefore have delivered significant growth in 2025 and will continue to build on this success. In 2025 we launched a communications plan promoting the options available to farmers and other landowners through advertising on radio and in the national press, the targeting of information through social media channels and text messages and direct engagement with farmers and landowners through local and national events such as the National Ploughing Championships. We also fund stakeholder organisations, through promotion projects and training, to support the development of forestry sector networks.

In 2025 we launched the planting on public lands initiative and are actively engaging with public bodies with land to encourage them to plant. That is an initiative that was not taken before. In addition to this proactive engagement, we provide extremely generous grants and premiums for 20 years for farmers and 15 years for non-farmers across a wide range of schemes, positioning forestry as an ideal complementary income stream for any farmer or landowner, with options available to suit all farming types. I am committed to continuing to promote this valuable land use option for farmers and other landowners in every way that I can, and to continue to grow the forestry sector into 2026 and beyond. I hope I will have the Deputy's support in doing so.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister of State can be absolutely assured he will have my support if he implements a policy and a strategy that actually deliver on the ambition that is required. The previous Government set a target for 8,000 ha per annum over the lifetime of the Government. It did not come close. It did not even reach half that in any single year, despite the fact that we had a Green Party Minister telling us it was a priority. The Minister of State and I were on this side of the Chamber lambasting the target of 8,000 ha and the failure to reach it. Now, the Minister of State is asking me to cheer him on when he tells me he has a target this year of 3,000 ha. Perhaps he can outline-----

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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Will the Deputy not acknowledge it is double the figure from last year?

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Of course it is.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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Has the Deputy anything positive to say?

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Yes.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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Thank you.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I can say it is better this year compared with the worst year ever on record. I absolutely welcome that things are not further deteriorating but we are basically back to where we were in 2020 in terms of afforestation rates. My question and my appeal to the Minister of State is to be ambitious and not just set a target which should be set, but meet it and work with members of the Opposition. Let the Minister of State not fall for the old trap of his predecessors and think that he knows everything just because he is on that side of the House. Work with us and let us deliver the forestry they have worked-----

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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The Deputy will be glad to know I do not need to be told to be ambitious by anybody on any side of any House.