Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department issued a tree felling Licence to the person named on 31st August 2022.

One of the conditions attached to this licence requires that, in the interests of public health and safety and improved landscape and amenity in the local area, that the applicant/forester liaise with CIE regarding proposed tree felling along the railway track prior to the commencement of felling works.

In addition, at reforestation, a 20 metre wide unplanted set back should be installed along the railway and a minimum of five lines of broadleaves should be planted nearest to this set back.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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478. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of further information requests sent by the Forestry Service of his Department in relation to the ash dieback RUS scheme since the launch of the current scheme on a weekly basis in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51032/22]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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479. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of further information requests for harvest plans in relation to the ash dieback RUS scheme that were sent out by his Department since June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51033/22]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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480. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the length of time that the ash dieback RUS applications were in the system which were sent further information requests for harvest plans since the launch of the current scheme in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51034/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 478 to 480, inclusive, together.

Since the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, my Department has provided support totalling over €7 million to owners of ash plantations impacted by disease through the Reconstitution Scheme (Ash Dieback) (introduced in 2013) and more recently the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS – Ash dieback) introduced in July 2020.

Since 2020, 826 applications have been received. Some 198 in 2020, 626 in 2021 and two in 2022. We have approved 321 to date and currently have 504 on hand.

There were 120 further information requests to applicants issued in the last two weeks for RUS projects where it is proposed to replant with broadleaf species, this was predominately for mapping issues. I am informed that FIRs will also be issued shortly for RUS projects where it is proposed to replant with conifer species and where harvest plans are needed.

We continue to process cases which are not affected by the requirement for planning permission. The legislation to remove the requirement for planning permission for Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme projects less than 10 ha in size is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and I understand that his Department is progressing this matter. I am hopeful that the legislation can be introduced once the statutory processes have been finalised.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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481. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be a new ash dieback scheme for impacted owners available from January 2023 in the new forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51035/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Since the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has provided support totalling over €7 million to owners of ash plantations impacted by disease through the Reconstitution Scheme (Ash Dieback) (introduced in 2013) and more recently the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme introduced in July 2020.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department are currently developing a new Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which will include the next Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027.

It is planned to continue offering support through the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme in the next Programme subject to State Aid approval and sanction from the Department of Expenditure and Reform.

The Forest Strategy Implementation Plan is subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment process, and this will include public consultation on the draft Plan and Environmental Report. This consultation will commence next week, and we welcome feedback from stakeholders.