Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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37. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will review an application (details supplied) for a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46805/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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There is no contradiction between the replies of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and myself as cited by the Deputy. Both responses, on the basis of the information provided, were correct at the time they were made. The first response was issued in August 2022 and was in relation to the planting of native trees in special protection areas (SPAs) under the previous forestry programme.

The reply correctly identified that under the Forestry Programme in operation at the time, afforestation applications were not explicitly precluded from grant schemes in all SPAs. Such afforestation applications would be subject to an appropriate ecological report demonstrating how the project could take place in a manner compatible with the ecological objectives of the designation. The Forest Service would have undertaken screening and, where necessary, appropriate assessment (AA). They would only approve such projects if satisfied that it would not adversely affect the integrity of the NATURA site, either alone or in combination with other plans or projects.

The second response was from Minister McConalogue in September of this year and was specifically in relation to SPAs for breeding hen harriers. It correctly stated that these areas will not be eligible for afforestation grants under the new Forestry Programme. Under the new Forestry Programme 2023-27, and in keeping with State Aid approval conditions, areas within any SPA – including the six designated for breeding the hen harrier – will not be eligible for afforestation. This is a new commitment under the new programme.