Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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86. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase and diversify forest cover here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42001/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The forest estate is expanding and has reached 770,000 hectares, which is 11% of the total land area. This is as a result of significant State investment. We now have a new challenge, to meet 8,000 hectare of new planting each year, as set out in the Climate Action Plan. I am very aware that this is in the face of declining planting rates.

It will, I believe, require a collaborative effort from government, the private sector, public bodies and local communities to meet this target. For our part, I have commissioned a Scottish consultant to review my Department's processes and procedures on forestry applications and approvals similar to an exercise undertaken in Scotland. I expect to receive this report by the end of November.

Support from Government is delivered through the generous grants and premiums available, across 12 different planting categories which offer real options to suit every landowner. Farmers can continue with livestock farming, while supplementing their income by planting trees, and we intend communicating this message widely.

Public bodies have a role to play too. I very much welcome the recent announcement by Coillte and Bord na Mona of their plans to plant 4 million native trees on 1,500 hectares over the next three years. I will be encouraging others to follow suit.

As regards diversification, the aim under the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 is that 30% of all new trees planted are broadleaves. We achieved 27% in 2018. This is a result of increased grants and premiums introduced under the Mid-Term Review of the Forestry Programme. We also increased the percentage of broadleaves in each new plantation from 10 to 15%.

The Woodland Environmental Fund supports the planting of native woodland through supplementary support of €1,000 a hectare from businesses.

Finally, in support of the National Biodiversity Strategy, we have committed to increase the uptake of the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme five-fold during the lifetime of the current National Forestry Programme.