Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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230. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Sitka spruce forest plantations over 30 years old, by county; the age and size of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7846/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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During the 1930s and 1940s a range of conifer species were planted in Ireland, including Norway spruce, Scots pine and larch, along with Sitka spruce and Lodgepole pine. This reflected the untested nature of the North American species being planted at the time. From the 1950s onwards confidence in Sitka spruce and Lodgepole pine grew, leading to their dominance in afforestation up to the mid-90s, after which the role of Lodgepole pine declined, reflecting primarily the improved land quality available for afforestation after this period and the generally poor form of the species.

From 2006 to 2010 the species composition of afforestation remained largely stable. However the finding of Phytophthora ramorum in Japanese larch in 2010, led to its withdrawal from the afforestation programme. From the mid-90s onwards a wider range of tree species has been planted, with ash and oak dominating broadleaf planting. However, more recently, the fungal disease Chalara fraxinea was found in ash in 2012, resulting in the cessation of grant aid for this species.  Sitka spruce remains the predominant species used in Irish forestry. It has proven to be one of the most productive conifers in Ireland and as such has become the mainstay in roundwood processing. According to the National Forest Inventory 2012 Sitka spruce is the most common tree species in Ireland, occupying 52.4% of the total forest area.

The information sought is not currently prepared in the format requested. However, it is possible to provide similar data that will give an indication of the composition of Ireland’s forests as regards Sitka spruce.  The total area of Sitka spruce in each county is presented in the following table.

Sitka spruce

According to the National Forest Inventory (NFI) 2012, the following table represents the total area of Sitka spruce above the age of 30.

Sitka spruce