Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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775. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is funding available for the maintenance of an oak plantation that is 150 years old and has significant environmental benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31004/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The aim of the Department's Native Woodland Conservation Scheme (NWS) is to support the appropriate restoration of existing native woodlands in order to promote Ireland’s native woodland resource and associated biodiversity. NWS creates opportunities for implementing traditional forms of woodland management that form part of our countryside heritage, including coppicing. Other important benefits include landscape enhancement and cohesion, the strengthening of the cultural and historical heritage associated with Ireland’s native woodlands, and the provision of local amenities and opportunities for woodland interpretation and environmental education. The grant available under NWS is €5,000/ha and an annual premium of €350/ha is also payable for 7 years.

Applicants must engage a forester listed as a NWS Forester on the Forest Service List of Registered Foresters (as indicated by the entry ‘Yes’ in the ‘NWS’ column - see www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/forestservicegeneralinformation/ ).

The scheme document can be found at .

Financial support for the oak woodland may also be available under the Department’s Seed Stand and Seed Orchard Scheme. This Scheme is aimed at improving the management and conservation of registered broadleaf and conifer seed stands included on the 'National List of Basic Material' so as to increase the frequency, quality and volume of commercial seed production and collection. Grant-aided seed stands must produce seed, as verified by the Department, at least once during the 7 year contract period, or evidence must be provided that due to climatic conditions seeding has not occurred at a level to justify collection. Funding available under this scheme is €725/ha.

Applicants seeking support under the Seed Stand and Seed Orchard Scheme must engage a forester listed on the Forest Service List of Registered Foresters The scheme document can be found at .

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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776. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on a forestry application lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason for the delay in making a decision on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31005/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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An application for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme was submitted on behalf of the person named in November, 2018. The application was referred to An Taisce and to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The NPWS replied that the site was adjacent to the Mumtrasna Mountain complex and comprised of blanket bog.

It was ascertained on inspection that an ecological assessment would be required, and a site survey was to be carried out. To enable this site survey, a request for further information issued on 17th August, 2020 to the applicant and their registered forester. The information sought was a land types assessment of the site and a habitat survey.

No further assessment of the application can be carried until this information is received.