Written answers
Tuesday, 13 June 2023
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Forestry Sector
John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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970. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of any analysis which has been conducted in County Wicklow to determine the extent of the spread of Ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28007/23]
John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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971. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers and individuals in Wicklow who have availed of the Ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28008/23]
John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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972. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to expand the Ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28009/23]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 970 to 972, inclusive, together.
The Deputy may be aware that the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback Disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineaus) in Ireland was made on 12th October 2012 at a forestry plantation site which had been planted in 2009 with trees imported from continental Europe.
The fourth cycle of Ireland’s National Forest Inventory (NFI) was completed in 2022. The purpose of the NFI is to record and assess the extent and nature of Ireland’s forests, both public and private, in a timely, accurate and reproducible manner. Results of the NFI show that Ash Dieback is now widespread and was noted to be present at 34,395 ha of forests visited.
In March 2013, a Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara Ash Dieback) was introduced 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) (RUS) 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.
My Department has expended over €9 million to date on both schemes, covering almost 6,500 hectares of grant aided ash to date. There are 21 applicants availing of the scheme in County Wicklow.
In March this year, Minister Hackett introduced an Interim Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback via general de minimis 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.
The group will comprise three members of the Project Board overseeing the implementation of Project Woodland:
- Ms. Jo O’Hara, former CEO of the Scottish Forestry Commission
- Mr. Jerry Grant, former Managing Director of Irish Water
- Dr. Matt Crowe, former Director of the EPA
It’s important with the upcoming introduction of a new Forestry programme that farmers continue to have confidence in the Forestry schemes and this review will be very timely. Consultation with stakeholders will be an essential part of the Review and the Group will be in direct contact with stakeholders to ensure that their voice is heard. I expect to receive the group‘s final report by 15 September after which I will fully consider its recommendations.
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