Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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249. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the native woodlands scheme will be brought back; if so, the form of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3325/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Native Woodland (Establishment) measure is now an integral part of the recently opened Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme. It has a separate Grant and Premium Category (GPC) under the Scheme and applicants can either apply for approval to plant solely within that GPC or in combination with a mix of other GPCs. As regards native woodland conservation, my Department is currently awaiting EU approval of its Forestry Programme (2014 to 2020). Details regarding the opening of other measures, including native woodland conservation, will be announced by my Department shortly afterwards.