Written answers
Tuesday, 27 February 2024
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Forestry Sector
Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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375. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the entire amount spent under the RUS since 2020; the amount spent under the new forestry scheme 2023-2027 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8739/24]
Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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376. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the interim RUS under the forestry scheme 2023-2027 to date; the number approved and the average payment, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8740/24]
Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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377. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated area covered by trees affected by ash dieback, by plantations affected by ash dieback and areas outside the forestry programme including roadside ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8741/24]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 to 377, inclusive, together.
A total of 15,897 hectares of grant aided ash forests were planted from 1990. The National Inventory for 2022 shows the total area of hedgerow as 267,509 hectares. There is no species breakdown of the hedgerow area so it is not possible to provide figures for ash planted outside of the forestry programmes either in hedgerows of other non-grant aided areas.
Since the introduction of the first reconstitution scheme for ash dieback in 2013 a total of over €15 million has been spent by my Department on clearing and replanting ash dieback sites.
Under the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) introduced in 2020 a total of €2,329,317 has been spent. €206,430 has been expended on the interim scheme via general de minimis with a further €28,565 on the New Programme Scheme. The table below shows expenditure on the different reconstitution schemes to date.
| Total on RAD scheme 2013-2018 | €12,778,896 |
|---|---|
| RUS scheme 2020 | €2,329,318 |
| Interim De Minimis Scheme | €206,430 |
| FP23-27 | €28,565 |
| Total ASH Dieback Spend since 2013 | €15,343,210 |
In relation to the interim Reconstitution Scheme via general de minimis there were 30 approvals issued for 116 hectares. Site Clearance grants have been paid for 21 applications for 53 hectares, and first grant for nine of these for 22.28 hectares. The average replanting grant payment was €8,701. The average site clearance was €5,037. These figures are represented in the table below. Five of these replanting applications are still in premium and are also due a top up premium, equivalent to the difference between the existing premium and the associated new Forest type and will be paid in a lump sum calculated for the remaining period in premium. This payment is currently being calculated and will be paid directly to the forest owner. So, for example, a forest owner with 10 years of remaining premium who enters into the Reconstitution Scheme to plant FT1 (native forest), could receive a lump sum payment of €6,355 per hectare.
Interim Scheme via de minimis
| Approved number | Site Clearance paid | Average Site Clearance Grant | First Grant Paid | Average First Grant | Average SC +Grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 for 116 hectares | 21 for 53 hectares | €5,037 | 9 for 22.28 hectares | €8,701 | €13,738 |
The first grant payment represents 75% of the total planting grant with the second grant paid after four years once the trees have been satisfactorily established. Under the Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback in the new Forestry Programme for clearing a site and replanting, the payment range of payments to landowners entering the scheme is from €5,858 up to €10,555/ha as well as a generous top up premium paid in a lump sum for those with remaining years of premium payments.
In addition a detailed Ash Dieback action plan is being prepared by Minister of State, Senator Pippa Hackett for submission to Cabinet for approval in the very near future.
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