Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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301. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the consultation process for the mid-term review of the current forestry programme will commence, when it will end; when agreed changes will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11383/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has committed to undertaking a mid term review of the current Forestry Programme in 2025. This will be conducted in consultation with all stakeholders.

Depending on the outcome of this review, certain proposed changes may be required to be notified to the European Commission under State Aid Rules.

These resulting agreed changes will be implemented prior to the end of the current Forestry Programme 2023-2027 term.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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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. This will outline comprehensive actions by my Department to deal with the issue of ash dieback. Detailed deliberations are taking place to ensure an efficient, appropriate and proportionate response.

As part of the Forest Strategy Implementation plan, Minister of State, Pippa Hackett, has established a Forestry Strategy Consultative Committee (FSCC) to support this work. Members of the FSCC have been selected from a broad range of relevant stakeholders. This Committee will establish a range of sub-groups to inform its activities, and in this regard will convene a specific subgroup which will work as a task force to ensure a greater level of engagement and action on ash dieback and other forest health matters.

In July 2023 my Department launched the Reconstitution scheme for Ash Dieback under the new Programme 2023-27 with the following enhanced features:

• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate, from €1,000 to €2,000.
• Enhanced replanting grant rates under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027.
• Those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years.
• In addition, for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.

My Department continues to issue approvals under the Reconstitution scheme. There are now 500 land owners representing 1,900 hectares, whose plantations were affected by ash dieback, that have approval to carry out reconstitution under the terms and conditions of the Reconstitution Scheme, under the new Forestry Programme. I would urge ash owners who have not yet availed of the scheme to assist them in clearing their sites and replanting, to do so now. They will not be disadvantaged in relation to any further initiatives under the action plan.

Since 2013 a total of over €15 million has been expended by my Department of site clearance and replanting of ash forests.