Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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1796. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the area of afforestation planted by the private sector and by Coillte, respectively, each year since 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63794/22]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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1798. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the target number of hectares of forestry to be planted in 2022; the final number reached in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63808/22]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1888. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares of forestry planted by farmers in each of the past 20 years; the reasons for the decline in planting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2343/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1796, 1798 and 1888 together.

The area of forestry planted by the private sector and by Coillte, respectively, each year since 2000 is laid out in the table following. 

Increasing the area under forestry in the country remains a key priority for me and my Department.

The afforestation target for 2022 was 8,000 hectares as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021. During 2022, 2,273 hectares were planted and I am acutely aware that this is considerably less than the target set and acknowledge the fact that afforestation rates have been declining in recent years. Afforestation is demand-led and there may be  various reasons why landowners may choose not to plant trees such as competing uses for the land and issues relating to licensing.

We have improved output on licences and issued 4713 forestry licences in total in 2022 which is an increase of 663 on 2021, and is 90% of our published target. These improved outputs have been achieved through a commitment to continuous improvement, as well as through a significant investment in resources. It is hoped that this increase in licence output will remove one of the perceived barriers to planting.

It should be noted that at the end of 2022, there were over 1,000 approved afforestation licences with a total of 7,500 hectares ready for planting and it is hoped that the attractive rates offered will incentivise landowners to use their approval and plant their land either under the Interim Afforestation Scheme (via De Minimis) or under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 when it launches

The Deputy will be aware that we have 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. This funding 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.

We have announced proposed increases in premiums for planting trees which range from between 46% to 66% along with a longer term of 20 years for farmers. The proposed Afforestation Scheme will include 12 Forest Types including new Forest Types such as Forests for Water, Emergent Forests and Continuous Cover Forestry from establishment. These new Forest Types will offer landowners additional choice and will bring added benefits for the environment and for biodiversity.

We also propose to launch a Native Tree Area Scheme following the completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, subject to the findings of both assessments. As the Deputies may be aware, an amendment to facilitate this Scheme was made to the Forestry Act 2014, removing the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare. I hope that the proposed Scheme will contribute to the stated policy goal of incentivising small-scale tree planting and of re-engaging farmers with afforestation.

I am committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade.