Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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284. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to detail in tabular form the number of applications and hectares of FT12 submitted to his Department; the number of applications and hectares of FT12 applications approved by his Department; the number of applications and area of FT12 applications still on hand in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2302/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The new Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027 will help to support an increase in afforestation. It offers landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types (FT) which cover a broad range of planting options and supports diversity in the forest estate. Those planting FT12, which covers mixed high forests with mainly spruce which include a 20% broadleaf component, receive an establishment grant and premiums for 15 years if non-farmers and 20 years if farmers.

The below table shows the number of FT12 applications submitted, approved and pending with my Department. In addition to new applications, unused approvals and pending applications under the previous forestry programme can opt-in to the new programme and choose a relevant FT for consideration.

Category 1 = Approved prior to 31/12/2023; Category 2 = Pending prior to 31/12/2023

Category 3 = New applications FP 23-27; Category 4: De minimis opt-in approvals

The new Forestry Licensing Plan has now issued and in 2024 my Department will continue to build on improvements to its licencing system during 2023. The Plan estimates that my Department will issue 4,200 new licences in 2024, and confirms that the Department has capacity to issue sufficient licences to meet its annual target of 8,000 hectares of new forests, but this is contingent on receiving enough applications to achieve this goal. I am confident that the attractive and increased rates under the new Programme, coupled with 20 year premiums for farmers, will encourage strong uptake of afforestation options.