Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Following on from State Aid approval from the European Commission, the Government adopted the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 on 6 September 2023. This was a significant milestone for forestry that will allow for the expansion, protection and development of Ireland’s forests and forestry sector.

I was conscious of the delay in the launch and therefore to bridge the gap between the new and old programmes, 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.

To date, significant improvements have been made in the licensing system. My Department will continue to build on these efficiencies into the future and is ready to issue sufficient afforestation licences to meet the annual planting target of 8,000 hectares, as set out within the Climate Action Plan. However, in order to achieve this it will be necessary to engage with all farmers, highlighting the complementary nature of forestry to farming and building confidence in the options for forestry available to them.

The Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 offers landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options. It provides generous incentives to farmers in particular to re-engage with forestry. This can be seen in our increased premia rates for Afforestation. These increases range from between 46% to 66% , along with a longer premia term of 20 years for farmers, compared to 15 years for non-farmers across most Forest Types.

My Department has also launched the new Native Tree Area Scheme recently, which builds on an 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.

As part of the Forest Strategy Implementation plan, my colleague, Minister of State Hackett, is establishing a Forestry Strategy Consultative Committee (FSCC). The purpose of the FSCC is to:

• Act as a consultative group to make contributions to the development and implementation of the Forest Strategy in Ireland.
• Receive updates on the implementation of objectives and deliverables for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027.
• Represent views and contributions from a broad selection of stakeholders nominated by Minister of State Hackett.
• Provide feedback and help to orientate the communications and stakeholder engagement work of the DAFM Implementation team.

Minister of State Hackett has written to relevant stakeholders asking them to nominate a member to represent their organisation on the Committee. Responses have been received and invitations will issue in the coming weeks. On-going stakeholder engagement is essential to ensure a successful outcome for the Forest Strategy implementation Plan and the Forestry Programme 2023-2027.