Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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771. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the details of all the support schemes in the next forestry programme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58832/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that my Department has recently secured funding of €1.3 billion for the Forestry programme 2023-2027. This will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme to date in Ireland and provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income and also to help meet our national climate and biodiversity objectives.

The draft Forest Strategy and Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which includes the next Forestry Programme measures are subject to an ongoing 6-week public consultation process which concludes on the 29th of November. Details of all proposed measures and Schemes for the next Programme are included without payment rates and stakeholders and interested parties these and may submit their feedback.

We have announced proposed afforestation rates with increases in premiums for planting trees which range from between 46% to 66% along with a longer term of 20 years for farmers. I intend to announce details of the proposed new payment rates for other measures imminently. The Programme is subject to state aid approval from the European Commission and the Department is actively engaging with the Commission to progress towards approval.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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772. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date ]he expects to issue financial approvals for afforestation in the next forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58833/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The draft Forest Strategy and Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which encompasses the Forestry Programme has been open to public consultation which closes today the 29th November, 2022

In regard to the Programme, I am pleased to advise that I have secured a package of €1.3 billion for forestry which will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme ever in Ireland.

This funding guarantees continued payments to those forest owners who planted under the current Afforestation Scheme and who are still in receipt of premiums and offers new and improved rates to those who undertake planting and sustainable forest management under the new Programme.

The Programme is subject to state aid approval from the European Commission and my Department is actively engaging with the Commission to progress towards that approval.

In this connection, it is our priority to clarify the dates around when financial approvals, at the new rates. will issue and we will do so as soon as possible.