Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The new Afforestation Scheme under the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 opened on the 6th September and existing applications are being migrated over to this scheme as the applicants opt in. DAFM have now started issuing licences under this scheme. This accounts for the 56 forestry licences (533 hectares) issued to date under the new programme. In addition to the above, my Department have also processed 59 (558Ha’s) of applications already approved under Forestry Programme 2014 – 2020 that hadn’t commenced planting and have now opted in to the new Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027.

The issuing of licences is demand-led, and the level of demand is indicated by the number of licence applications made. Given we are now in a position to issue all licences, we will shortly publish a new Forestry Licensing Plan. Training of staff and foresters is taking place and full guidance for each of the schemes is being published to encourage participation in the new programme.

The new Programme also contains a new Native Tree Area Scheme, which builds on a recent amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 that removed the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare. It is our objective to increase and encourage interest in small-scale planting, and I am confident that this change to the Act will remove a barrier to such planting. This Native Tree Area Scheme opened for applications on 4th October with 7 applications approved to date (7 hectares).

Finally, approvals under the new Reconstruction of Ash dieback scheme (RADs) have begun with 47 approvals amounting to 243 Ha’s.

In addition to the figures outlined above and in recognition of the need for forestry activity to continue, pending the launch of the new Programme, earlier this year, my Department introduced an Interim Afforestation Scheme, an Interim Forest Road Scheme and an interim Ash Dieback Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme via General De Minimis.

This ensured that those with valid afforestation licences issued before the end of 2022 could avail of the current planting season under the higher grant and premium rates proposed under the new Programme. Likewise, those with valid road licences and approvals under the Ash Dieback Scheme at the end of 2022 could avail of the higher grants and enhanced payment rates as proposed under the new Programme.

In 2023, a total of 288 applications were approved under the Interim Afforestation Scheme, representing 1,750 hectares. Under the interim roads scheme, 159 approvals have issued representing 70,222 metres, while under the interim RUS scheme, 28 approvals have issued in respect of 110 hectares.

I am committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade. I am confident that the diverse range of forest types on offer, coupled with attractive grants and premiums in the new Forestry Programme, will support an increase in forestry afforestation and support scheme applications. A comprehensive and well-subscribed forestry programme has the potential to deliver lasting benefits for not just for climate change, but for biodiversity, wood production, economic development and quality of life.