Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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2551. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the resources, such as the provision of registered foresters or ecologists, made available by his Department to public bodies to encourage their participation in the creation of woodland on public lands scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20278/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In August 2020, the Department launched the Creation of Woodland on Public Lands Scheme which aims at funding the creation of new native woodlands on publicly owned lands.

Further to the actions outlined in the Programme for Government, a land bank analysis to ascertain the availability of publicly owned lands that may be suitable for creating these new native woodlands was carried out by Climate Action Regional Office (CARO) in the Atlantic Seaboard South Region in partnership with my Department in late 2020.

A Working Group, comprising of the CARO in the Atlantic Seaboard South Region, officials from my Department, Teagasc, and representatives from Local Authorities across the country has also been set up in parallel. Department officials participating in the Working Group include Departmental foresters and ecology resources can be brought in when and where required. Registered foresters will be involved in assisting public bodies to submit any application to plant public lands.

The results of the land bank analysis are currently being assessed by this Working Group with a view to developing further guidance for public authorities for participation in the Scheme as well as agreeing on specific actions to promote the planting of native woodlands on public lands.

Further information on the Creation of Woodland on Public Lands Scheme, including a breakdown of Grants available, can be found at: .