Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 738 and 739 together.

The Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS – Ash dieback) provides the forest owner with a broader range of silvicultural and management options, than the previous Scheme.

An underplanting option has been introduced, whereby groups or bands of trees within the plantation would be felled and replanted but around 40 to 50% of the ash trees would be left standing. Forest owners who wish to avail of RUS, to clear fell all ash trees, would have to have a certain level of diseased trees before they can enter this scheme (and a lesser level of diseased trees to enter the underplanting element of the Scheme). The Scheme aims to compensate for the clearance costs and replace the trees. Compensation is not paid for the timber lost, therefore the tonnage of timber on sites is not available.

To date, the Department has accepted 383 applications for 1,566.18ha and to date, 124 of those have been approved for an area of 437.62ha. There is approx. 14,300ha of ash still standing and, as the Scheme is voluntary, it will depend on the interest among owners engaging with the Scheme. The disease is now in all parts of Ireland and has affected most ash forests to a greater or lesser extent. No data is available on the potential emissions associated with rotting ash.