Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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1993. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a query regarding the retrieval of land for biodiversity purposes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30935/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Following the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback disease in October 2012, on imported trees used in forestry plantations, surveys for the disease have been conducted year on year since in forests, horticultural nurseries, garden centres, private gardens, roadside landscaping and farm agri-environment scheme plantings. In recent years, Ash dieback disease has been found to be widespread in all 26 counties. Since the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, the Department has provided support totalling over €7 million to owners of ash plantations impacted by ash dieback disease through the ash dieback reconstitution scheme (introduced in 2013) and more recently the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS – Ash dieback) introduced in July 2020. We have committed under the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 to refocus on the delivery of most approvals under the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme. The plantation size appears to be quite small in the details you provided. However to be considered for conversion to another land use a felling licence application would need to be submitted along with a case for conversion of this small area of ash to biodiversity. When received, my officials can then examine the context of the application and engage with the applicant. Please note also that deforestation is subject to planning permission from the Local Authority.