Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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549. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the forestry plantation targets that exist for 2014; if the 2011, 2012 and 2013 targets were met; the measures he plans to improve the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32376/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The planting levels achieved under the State’s afforestation scheme are determined by both the interest among landowners in forestry as a land-use option and the availability of funding. In recent years, including 2014, funding has been provided for about 7,000 hectares of new planting. In the years 2011 to 2013, the average annual planting level was in the region of 6,500 hectares and I would anticipate a similar outcome in 2014. The new F orestry Programme 2015-2020 is currently being developed . The primary objectives of the new programme will be to i ncrease Ireland’s permanent forest cover; increase and sustain the production of forest-based biomass to meet renewable energy targets; support forest holders to actively manage their plantations; and optimise the environmental and social benefits of new and existing forests. To meet these needs the following measures are being proposed:

i) Afforestation and Creation of Woodland

ii) Forest Roads

iii) Reconstitution Scheme

iv) NeighbourWood Scheme

v) Woodland Improvement (Thinning and Tending)

vi) Native Woodland Conservation

vii) Knowledge Transfer and Innovation

viii) Producer Groups

ix) Innovative Forest Technology

x) Forest Genetic Reproductive Material

xi) Forest Management Plans

Further information on these measures is contained in the Consultation Paper published by my Department in March 2014 as part of the stakeholder consultation process. Further consultation will be undertaken in the coming weeks when the Environmental Report and revised Forestry Programme are published.