Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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468. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department will introduce frost reconstitution in order that young plantations heavily effected by late spring frost can undergo necessary works to get the stocking levels up to an acceptable standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48957/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department is aware of the request for a reconstitution scheme in response to frost damage on young plantations for woodland owners affected by frost events experienced in 2019, 2020 and again in 2021. Surveys for frost damage in affected forests have been conducted by the Department. We are continuing to consider the case for such a scheme and hope to be in a position to clarify our position shortly.

The timing of any such scheme must be examined in the context of resource implications given the current challenges faced in terms of forestry licences. The licensing system and the implementation of Project Woodland are our absolute priorities and all efforts are focused on maximising the number of afforestation, felling and forest road licences issued.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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469. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications approved under the reconstitution and under planting scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49049/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I'm acutely aware of the impact Ash Dieback has had on growers. 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.