Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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393. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to an initiative (details supplied); and if his Department will help support and progress the initiative to create a native woodland forest for the children of Ireland. [55382/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am delighted to hear of this initiative and my colleague Minister of State, Senator Pippa Hackett has already written to offer support and practical advice.  Providing the project meets the requirements, it may be eligible for grant aid, under the Creation of Woodlands on Public Lands Scheme.  Or, if the project is to take place on privately owned land, it may be eligible for support under the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme. 

Trees have an important part to play in meeting our Climate Action Plan targets.  Increasing our annual afforestation rate consistent with realising the ambitious target of 8,000 ha yearly planting set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021, will not be easy.  I am encouraged by initiatives such as Foraoise na bPáistí, which drive forward the establishment of woodlands in creative and innovative ways.

I wish the students the very best of luck with this initiative.