Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that I announced the establishment of an independent review of my Department’s response to ash dieback in early June of this year. The group has a remit to review the existing and previous supports available to landowners with ash plantations funded under the National Forestry Programme, to engage with relevant stakeholders to seek their views on the current supports for ash forest owners and will make recommendations on these supports to me within three months.

The group comprises 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

Unfortunately, ash dieback is now endemic in our countryside. To date my Department has provided over €9.5 million in support to landowners with infected plantations by removing and replanting their sites with alternative species. We have also doubled the rates for this recently. As we approach 10 years of these supports, I have listened to the concerns of landowners, and that is why I have now tasked this independent group to review existing Department supports. Jo O’Hara, Jerry Grant and Matt Crowe have been immense assistance in helping to deliver Project Woodland and I am grateful for their willingness to take on this additional task.

I have ensured that the group has the resources and secretarial assistance to carry out their task in the short time period available to them and I look forward to receiving and considering their report in September.