Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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584. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any compensation scheme, replanting scheme or emergency support is in place for cases in which a larch plantation has become diseased; if so, the details of such assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38578/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The causal agent for the dieback and death of Japanese larch is an organism named Phytophthora ramorumwhich was first detected on Japanese larch in Ireland in 2010. Since then my Department has inter aliaconducted annual surveys for its presence in the private and public forest estate and is doing so again this year. A component of the annual survey is informed by reports from owners which Inspectors in my Department follow up directly.

Consideration is being given in my Department for the inclusion of a support scheme for forest owners of Japanese larch impacted by Phytophthora ramorum, this will be considered for inclusion as part of any Reconstitution measure in the new Forestry Programme 2023 to 2027.