Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 558 and 559 together.

My Department has a policy goal of incentivising small-scale tree planting and changes introduced as part of the Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, facilitate small scale planting of native tree areas without the need to first obtain an afforestation licence. This exemption allows forests to be created through the Native Tree Area Scheme (NTAS), thereby contributing to Ireland’s targets in relation to a wide range of environmental priorities particularly climate change, biodiversity and water quality.

For the Creation of Native Forests for Water Protection element of the NTAS, the Native Tree Area planted under the scheme must satisfy the statutory requirements with regard to area (i.e. 0.1ha & 1.0 ha) and width (i.e. 20m) thresholds. These measurements must be measured tree-to-tree (i.e. excluding open spaces such as aquatic buffer zones, public road setbacks and archaeological exclusion zones). For the purpose of this Scheme, when open spaces are also included, the maximum width is 25m.

The Creation of Native Forests for Water Protection component of the NTAS aims to create new native forests that will act as undisturbed water setbacks that can be used to deliver meaningful ecosystem services that protect and enhance water quality and aquatic ecosystems. The creation of these permanent narrow forest corridors will also provide wider biodiversity functions by protecting and expanding existing native forests.