Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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198. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the environmental enhancement scheme has not been operationalised to date as set out in the forestry programme 2014 to 2020. [46392/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Environmental Enhancement Scheme is part of a suite of environmental actions included in the Forestry Programme 2014 – 2020. Environmental initiatives which have been implemented since the launch of the Forestry Programme in January 2015 include the introduction of two new planting categories, agroforestry and forestry for fibre for renewable energy. The planting of native woodlands, which create rich diverse habitats, was also incorporated into the afforestation scheme for the first time, and this approach has contributed to an increase in the areas planted.

A greater awareness of environmental protection and sustainable forest management is also being fostered through the recently launched Knowledge Transfer Group Scheme. Mandatory subjects at KTG meetings include information sessions on forest owner obligations under the Water Framework, Habitats and Birds Directives. The midterm review of the forestry programme in February, 2018 considered environmental issues and as a result higher grant rates were introduced for the Native Woodlands Conservation Scheme and for broadleaf planting categories in general.

In addition to new measures under the Forestry Programme, my Department published in May 2017 a “Reforestation and Felling Policy” document which sets out silvicultural and environmental requirements for harvesting operations. Furthermore, a draft Plan for Forests & Freshwater Pearl Mussel (FPM) in Ireland has recently undergone public consultation and responses received are now being considered. This Plan targets 27 key FPM catchments in the country, including the ‘priority eight’, in which populations have the greatest chance of recovery. The Plan's objectives are to eliminate, reduce or mitigate: (i) diffuse and point sources of sediment and nutrients; and (ii) the disruption of the natural hydrological regime, arising from forests and regulated forestry activities within the Plan’s area, to ensure that these do not threaten the achievement of the conservation objectives for FPM set for each of the Special Areas of Conservation involved.

Finally with regard to Environmental Enhancement Scheme my Department intends to launch this Scheme in 2019 to complement our existing measures to protect and enhance water quality, archaeological sites, habitats and species, sensitive landscapes and other environmental features. This scheme targets existing forests and I expect to be announcing further details next year.