Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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848. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated amount of direct savings in megaton CO2 equivalent that will be achieved by 2030 through afforestation in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15908/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The forest sector has an important part to play in meeting the ambitious roadmap towards climate neutrality. Afforestation is the process of establishing a forest on lands not previously forested. In 2021, 2,016 hectares of afforestation was achieved in Ireland. The breakdown of this is 41% broadleaf (829 ha) and 49% conifer (1,187 ha).

Ireland’s forests and harvested wood products play a significant role in climate change mitigation by removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Carbon sequestration by forests is influenced by a range of factors including species, soil type, site conditions and management practices. The Department has funded a number of large-scale research projects which have examined carbon stocks and stock changes in Irish forests.

Using the total conifer and broadleaf afforestation area for 2021, the Department has projected that these new forests will remove 0.15 Mt CO₂eq between 2021 and 2030. Although this rate of sequestration is low, it is important to remember that the rate of sequestration changes over time as a forest develops and matures. As these newly planted trees mature, their ability to sequester carbon dioxide increases. This is reflected in projections which show that from 2031 to 2050, the 2,016 ha will sequester a further 0.5 Mt CO₂eq.

Afforestation is a voluntary land use choice for landowners and building confidence among landowners of the benefits of forestry will be key to increasing afforestation rates on recent low trends. The Forestry Programme has a wide range of generous grants and annual premiums that makes forestry an excellent land use option which can complement existing farming enterprises. The Department and stakeholders are working together to deliver Project Woodland with a view to resolve the current difficulties in the forestry sector and revitalise the creation of forests in Ireland.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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849. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the forestry schemes currently operated by his Department; the afforestation target of each scheme in 2021 and 2022; the afforestation achieved in 2021; the payment rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15909/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is operating some 12 afforestation Schemes at present and a full list of those are available at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/73aea-schemes-and-services-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/#forestry

The overall afforestation target as contained in the Climate Action Plan 2021 is 8,000 hectares.

Last year, we issued 502 afforestation licences for 4,246 hectares, but only 2,016 hectares were planted. This low conversion rate is a challenge and every unused hectare is a waste of resources that should not happen. There are currently 5,200 ha in the system, which have a valid approval, but have not gone ahead to planting. We have written to applicants with unused licences to remind them that their licence is still valid and to encourage them to consider using them before their approval lapses.

Communication and positive messaging about the benefits of afforestation is crucial. On most farms, planting can comfortably co-exist with livestock enterprises and can significantly increase the net income from the holding. We must work together to communicate this positive message consistently.

The full details of the current payment rates are available in Circular 3/2018 available on the website at wayback.archive-it.org/11501/20201125173540/www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/grantsandpremiumschemes2014-2020/schemecirculars/2018circulars/

As the Deputy may be aware, an extensive public consultation process on the new forest strategy has commenced, with an on-line portal opened on 16th March and stakeholders will have an opportunity to raise any issues that they feel need to be addressed with my Department. Work on the next Forestry Programme will include a review of payment rates.