Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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447. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 2518 of 21 April 2021, if he could update the table provided to include 2021 and 2022 figures and, using the same methods as before, to calculate the CO2 missed capture due to failed afforestation targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41471/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Forestry Programme for the period 2014 – 2020 set out afforestation targets that were consistent with the Department published “Forests, products and people Ireland’s forest policy – a renewed vision”. The table below provides annual afforestation information since 2016.

Over the period 2016 – 2022, the target afforestation area was 53,410 hectares (ha). During this period 26,335 ha of lands were afforested, leaving a shortfall to target of 27,075 ha. The Department has projected that if these 27,075 ha of forests were planted with 70% conifer and 30% broadleaf, these forests had the potential to remove 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per rotation, over the first and subsequent rotations. This is based on a mean annual sequestration rate of 6.9 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per hectare for the conifer species and 2.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per hectare for the broadleaf species.

Earlier this month, my Department launched the new Forest Strategy which covers the period to 2030 and aims to significantly increase the diversity and range of our forests, with the objective of contributing to biodiversity, sustainability and climate change goals. The Forest Strategy Implementation Plan, which sets out the actions to realise the ambitions in the Forest Strategy, including an annual afforestation rate of 8,000ha to 2027.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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448. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if officials from his Department have carried out analyses on the afforestation files on hand that will be affected by new restrictions relating to peat, high nature value farmlands and extended bird exclusion zones; to detail the overall number of applications affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41472/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The new €1.3 billion 2023-2027 Forestry Programme is closely aligned with the 2030 Forest Strategy, and is designed to provide lasting benefits for many key areas, including climate change, biodiversity, water quality, wood production, employment and the provision of amenities.

All applicants who have applications on hand have been written to and asked if they wish to opt-in to the new scheme. There are 437 applications on hand that were received under the previous programme. Where the applicant has opted in, the file is being checked by my staff with respect to the new rules.

The new programme has a number of changes that will impact the area available for planting. An analysis has been carried out on the afforestation files on hand that may be affected by the new restrictions. Of the 437 applications, approximately 3% are in areas that will not now be eligible under the conditions of the scheme, as they are within 1.5 km of a Curlew site. Approximately 24% of the applications are entirely unaffected by the changes and the remainder will require further assessment regarding their eligibility as they are in areas where new restrictions may apply and this may affect their eligibility. These applications are either on peat soils, in High Nature value Areas, in Breeding wader areas or a combination of these.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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449. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is accommodating all forestry stakeholder groups equally in terms of facilitating meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41474/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Last year, my Department published for the first time a Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050which was informed by a series of extensive engagement and consultation. One particular strand of the consultation included bilateral meetings with key Forestry stakeholders. This Vision then informed a new Forestry Strategy for Ireland, which was developed via Working Group 2 of Project Woodland.

In consideration of this, a Forest Strategy Implementation Plan was also developed to facilitate the initial steps in the implementation of the Forest Strategy. This Plan includes the Forestry Programme for the period 2023-2027, which will be the main implementation vehicle for the Forest Strategy in the immediate to short term.

Bilateral meetings took place with members of the Forestry Policy Group (FPG) and details of the Programme development were presented to all members of the FPG in July 2022. I am content that the FPG is fully representative of all relevant stakeholders from across the forestry sector.

In addition, my Department has more recently held a number of bilateral meetings with established organisations from the forestry and farming sectors, to update them on the launch of the Forestry Programme.

Therefore, I am satisfied that members of all relevant stakeholder groups have met with my Department through the important work of Project Woodland and contributed equally to the development of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027.

My Colleague, Minister of State Hackett also intends to form a Forestry Programme Consultative Committee (FPCC) within the coming weeks. The FPCC members will be selected from a broad range of relevant stakeholders, acknowledging that it is essential that on-going stakeholder engagement is continued to ensure a successful outcome for the Forest Strategy implementation Plan and the Forestry Programme 2023-2027.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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450. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there have been any changes within his Department at Assistant Secretary-level with responsibility for forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41475/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The senior management team in my Department is led by the Secretary General, supported by a structure of 11 at Assistant Secretary level, each of whom have designated responsibility for specific areas of the Department's work.

My Department has a diverse portfolio which supports our mission in leading, enabling and regulating the agri-food sector in a way that optimises its contribution to social, economic and environmental sustainability.

To successfully deliver on the objectives set out in our Statement of Strategy 2023-2026, the reporting structure is kept under review and staffed in such a manner as to provide opportunities for personal development and growth while also inviting new perspectives within each of the roles. This approach supports the wider Senior Public Service protocol of Assistant Secretary General mobility across Government Departments.

Recently, a number of reassignments were implemented within my Department, and this included a change at Assistant Secretary level in the area with responsibility for forestry. Mr Paul Savage, Assistant Secretary General took up the post in early August.