Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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88. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the forestry programme will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53246/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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It is important to highlight to the House the considerable work that has been undertaken this year in developing a vision for a new future for forestry in Ireland. I am referring to the recently published Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050which was informed by a series of extensive engagements and consultation. The Vision has informed a new Forestry Strategy for Ireland which has been developed by Working Group 2 of Project Woodland.

In parallel, a draft Forest Strategy Implementation Plan has also been developed to facilitate the initial steps in the implementation of the Forest Strategy. This Plan comprises a list of actions and measures and includes the Forestry Programme for the period 2023-2027 which will be the main implementation vehicle for the Forest Strategy in the immediate to short term.

The draft Forest Strategy and Forest Strategy Implementation Plan were published on Tuesday the 18^thof October and are now subject to a six-week public consultation process. This means that stakeholders and interested parties are aware of the measures and Schemes that are being proposed for the next Forestry Programme and may submit their feedback on all elements.

Alongside this public consultation process, the Department is currently engaged in detailed discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to agree funding. We are also in contact with European Commission and are initiating the process for State Aid approval for the new Programme.

I understand that Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsbility for the sector, intends to publish the financial supports for the new Programme at the earliest opportunity. In parallel, once the public consultation process has been completed, we will take account of submissions received to arrive at a final version.

It is our intention to introduce a programme which will deliver for society, for landowners and for the forestry sector in Ireland. Its objective will be to expand the national forest estate on both private and public land.

We hope to incentivise farmers in particular to re-engage with forestry and we hope to offer increases in grants and premiums to enable land-use change.

A comprehensive and well-subscribed forestry programme has the potential to deliver lasting benefits for climate change, biodiversity, wood production, economic development and quality of life.

We are hopeful that once the programme is launched that both public and private actors will support it in order to realise its ambition.