Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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389. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the exact date the financial incentives for the new forestry programme will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52606/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has recently published a Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050.  A new Forestry Strategy for Ireland is currently being developed. The draft Forest Strategy to 2030 has been shaped by the extensive public feedback received on the Vision over the last twelve months. This draft Forest Strategy will be subject to a period of public consultation, which is due to commence this week.  

DAFM is also currently developing a new Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which will include the next Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027.  There has been engagement with stakeholders and the public on the next Forestry Programme, which has gone to public consultation through the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment process this week.

Having secured an additional €12 million in Budget 2023 for Forestry to reach a total budget of €112m, DAFM is also currently engaged in detailed discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to agree new grant and premium rates for the next Programme in order to incentivise the necessary levels of planting for Ireland to meet its afforestation targets. 

When concluded DAFM aims to provide this information regarding grants and premium rates at the earliest opportunity, as part of the process to secure state aid approval from the European Commission.