Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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292. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a SWAT analysis has been carried out of the compatibility of the present terms and conditions and structure of the GLAS eco scheme with afforestation; if so, if the results of such a SWAT analysis are being considered in the design, terms and conditions of any new eco schemes in the next CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28988/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The SWOT analysis undertaken in the development of the RDP 2014-2020 drew on a range of information from within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and from external bodies and documents. The breadth of such analysis, from multiple sources, saw certain issues and factors categorised as more than one of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

Such varied considerations, across all facets of Rural Development, had to be balanced when devising the schemes subsequently introduced under the RDP 2014-2020.

As part of Ireland’s preparation for CAP 2023-2027, a SWOT analysis and a Needs Assessment have been conducted to form part of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) and the Eco-Scheme and Agri-Environment, Climate Measures are being designed to achieve specific objectives and needs as identified in the CSP.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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293. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if complementary environmental measures on new afforestation projects can be funded in any new agri environmental scheme under the CAP whilst the forestry programme could be delivered entirely separately from the CAP strategic plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28989/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The planting of trees has the potential to play a significant part in our environmental priorities especially water quality, biodiversity and climate. My colleague Minister of State Pippa Hackett has announced her intention to explore how such planting along riparian margins could be promoted at scale. This would combine the best of our agri-environment measures, where over 1.5 million trees were planted under GLAS, for example, and better integration with our afforestation goals such as the Native Woodland establishment scheme

Any proposed planting of trees that is 0.1 ha or over in area is currently considered afforestation and must have an afforestation licence. As a consequence, individual tree planting measures that have been included in the GLAS and REAP Schemes, for example, must be below the 0.1 ha threshold. The planting of trees has been included in the REAP scheme as a complementary action. This will help us meet our intention to include significant tree-planting measures under our future agri-environment schemes in the next round of CAP.