Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1752. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of funding that exists for the ecosystem's services payments in the new forestry programme under biodiversity grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63249/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has recently secured funding of €1.3 billion for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027. Subject to State Aid approval, this will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme to date in Ireland and will assist forest owners in the sustainable management of their forests.

The draft Forestry Programme (2023-2027) which is contained in the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan and was recently subject to public consultation, contains a proposal for the introduction of a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) premium pilot.

It is proposed that this pilot will be developed for existing forest owners, that are out of premium payments or never received a grant payment for their forest. It is designed as an annual per ha payment of 7 years duration. Forest owners when receiving approval on certain support Schemes may be able to select one (or more) options in accordance with the forestry management practice selected. Each option would attract a flat rate payment per ha.

Funding has been allocated to these premiums in line with the targets included in the draft Forestry Programme 2023-2027 and at the individual PES rates which range from €90 to €500 per ha as published in Circular 20 of 2022. PES premiums aim to promote the longer-term sustainable management of forests, in particular encouraging forest owners of productive forests to manage their forests with a view to maximising carbon sequestration, water purification and regulation of flow, soil formation, fuel, food and forest genetic resources.