Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

581. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise regarding a specific focus (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24101/23]

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

Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from my Department. Certain matters relating to the company, including pension increases, are subject to consent from the Shareholding Ministers.

When former civil servants transferred to Coillte on vesting day they ceased to be members of a civil service pension scheme and became members of the relevant pension scheme established by Coillte under the Forestry Act 1988. This is therefore a matter for the company and I have passed the issue to them for direct response to the Deputy.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

582. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details on the participation rates of the reconstitution and underplanting scheme (ash dieback); the number of applications made to the scheme from its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24199/23]

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

The Deputy may be aware that the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback Disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineaus) in Ireland was made on 12^thOctober 2012 at a forestry plantation site which had been planted in 2009 with trees imported from continental Europe.

In March 2013, the Department introduced a Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara Ash Dieback) to restore forests planted under the afforestation scheme which had suffered from, or which were associated with plants affected by disease.

Following a Review of the National Response to Ash Dieback Disease arising from scientific advice and evidence that eradication of ash dieback disease is no longer feasible the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash Dieback) was launched in June 2020.

A total of €875,476 has been expended by my Department on the RUS scheme since it opened in 2020, involving interventions on 525 hectares. A total of 974 applications have been received representing 3720 hectares with 390 approved for an area of 1239 hectares. Those with outstanding applications will have the opportunity to opt into the new Scheme proposed under the new Forestry Programme, subject to State Aid approval.

In March, an Interim Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback via general de minimis was introduced which contains a doubling of site clearance rates, increased grant rates and an improved premium regime. This allowed those who have valid existing approvals where work has not commenced to opt into the Scheme which includes the following enhanced features:

• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate from €1,000 to €2,000.
• Enhanced grant rates as per draft Forestry programme 2023-2027
• Those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years.
• In addition, for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

583. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the reconstitution and underplanting scheme (ash dieback) is fit for purpose; if he will conduct a review of the operation and the terms of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24203/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

590. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration would be given to proposals (details supplied) in respect of the interim reconstitution and underplanting scheme (ash dieback); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24286/23]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

596. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on adjusting ash dieback schemes to ensure that all infected ash dieback plantations are eligible for a 100% reconstitution grant, that covers all costs associated with clearing the site and replanting with a forest type that meets their management objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24342/23]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 583, 590 and 596 together.

The Deputy may be aware that the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback Disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineaus) in Ireland was made on 12^thOctober 2012 at a forestry plantation site which had been planted in 2009 with trees imported from continental Europe.

In March 2013, the Department introduced a Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara Ash Dieback) to restore forests planted under the afforestation scheme which had suffered from, or which were associated with plants affected by disease.

Following a Review of the National Response to Ash Dieback Disease arising from scientific advice and evidence that eradication of ash dieback disease is no longer feasible the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash Dieback) was launched in June 2020.

The purpose of the RUS scheme was to clear all ash trees and replant with other species. Grants for site clearance and replanting to cover the costs associated with these operations were provided and premiums continued to be paid where the contracts were still in premium.

A total of €9.2 million has been expended to date on both schemes.

Last month, an Interim Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback via general de minimis was launched which contains a doubling of site clearance rates, increased grant rates and an improved premium regime. The interim scheme includes the following enhanced features:

• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate from €1,000 to €2,000.
• Enhanced grant rates as per draft Forestry programme 2023-2027
• Those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years.
• In addition, for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.