Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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107. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the implementation of national forestry policies and programmes is consistent with the growth of the commercial forest estate or if the commercial timber supply risks being eroded over time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18270/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I recognize that Ireland's existing commercial forest estate is an important and expanding supply of timber for the construction sector with significant amounts of timber exported to the UK and abroad. The recent COFORD "All Island Roundwood Production Forecast" predicts that the annual potential supply of roundwood timber will increase from around 5.6 million in 2023 to 7.9 million cubic metres by 2025. My Department has accordingly established a new Timber in Construction Steering Group which is focused on providing more opportunities to use more of our home grown timber in construction. This group has a number of areas they are examining such as regulations and standards, including markets and procurement.

A new Forest Strategy for 2023–2030 was published in September 2023, which was informed by comprehensive engagement and public consultation. This Strategy provides Ireland with a roadmap for the rest of this decade to put in place strong foundations for forests that deliver multi-faceted benefits. The Strategy is an ambitious one, and acknowledges the wishes of those consulted to see more diverse types of forests established. It’s implementation will result in a more heavily forested country with multi-functional and diverse forests delivering benefits for many key areas, including for wood production, the economy and rural development. The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will be the primary means through which this Strategy is delivered in the short term.

The new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 therefore aims to encourage a substantial increase in the forest estate by offering attractive and diverse options for planting. This government has committed €1.3 billion of funding to the Programme in order to support our national ambition of 8,000 hectares of afforestation per year. The new Afforestation Scheme 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. These include increases in premium rates ranging from between 46% to 66%, along with a longer premium term of 20 years for farmers, compared to 15 years for non-farmers, across most Forest Types. A number of these forest establishment measures highlight the importance of conifers for timber production and these forests will further add to projected timber supply in the coming years. Broadleaved forests will take longer to mature, but will too provide valuable hardwood for use in construction in the future.

I would highlight that Afforestation is a voluntary land use choice for landowners and building confidence among landowners of the benefits of forestry, including that of commercial timber will be key to increasing afforestation rates. I recognize that consistent planting at scale for commercial timber supply is a challenge, but I am confident that the diverse range of forest types, coupled with attractive grants and premiums, will support landowners to plant trees in a manner that will provide lasting climate, biodiversity, wood production, employment and wider societal benefits.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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108. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commit to commencing an immediate review of the forestry programme, given that more than six months have now passed since the programme’s inception and the persistently low levels of uptake by farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18244/24]

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.

The new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 aims to encourage a substantial increase in afforestation by offering attractive and diverse options for planting, especially for farmers. This government has committed €1.3 billion of funding to the Programme in order to support our national ambition of 8,000 hectares of afforestation per year.

In order to encourage uptake, my Department has engaged in extensive promotion of the forestry options available, including through the funding of 42 stakeholder projects. These projects will promote the Forestry Programme through a wide variety of approaches and will engage with the wider community to highlight the benefits of forests as a source of biodiversity, enjoyment and inspiration.

A targeted media campaign was rolled out across all media and will continue throughout 2024. In addition, my officials are meeting regularly with professional foresters to provide information and any training needed.

I have established a Forestry Strategy Consultative Committee (FSCC) to make contributions to the development and implementation of the Forest Strategy, including the Forestry Programme. 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. In this regard an Afforestation Technical Working Group has already been established to provide a forum to discuss any issues relation to the delivery of the afforestation scheme.

I recognise that planting at the scale required is a challenge but believe that it is in all our interests to work towards this target. It will require a concerted and united effort from all those interested in forestry across communities, public bodies, the forestry sector and farmers to make this a reality. I am committed to working closely with all stakeholders to facilitate further momentum towards increased planting.