Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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A replanting plan is set out in the application for a felling licence and is considered as part of the application assessment. Therefore, an applicant that holds a valid Felling licence will be aware of the replanting obligation attached to that licence. If the licence has been actioned then the applicant will have been obliged to adhere to the felling and replanting conditions of their Felling licence. They will not be eligible at that point to apply for a Forestry Grant for works that have already been carried out.

For clarity, in circumstances whereby the felling licence has not been actioned then the applicant may apply for an appropriate Forestry Scheme, for the same plot of land, and subject to meeting the conditions attached to that scheme, may seek to amend their felling licence and replanting plan where they are proposing to make a material change to the felling and replanting operations, and this will be considered by my Department.

One of the conditions of any scheme is prior written approval by my Department. For any queries in relation to a specific licence my officials can be contacted at forestryappenquiries@agiculture.gov.ie

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently developing a system to allow applications for the Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme to be accepted electronically and it is our intention to launch it in the coming weeks.

The proposed Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme aims to provide supports at reforestation that incentivise species and structural diversity. This can result in an increase in the resilience and adaptiveness of the forest land to climate related threats.

Many forests in Ireland have been established and managed under an even-aged management structure and there is a need for a greater balance between these and forests managed under closer to nature silviculture, such as Continuous Cover Forestry and semi-natural forest.

This intervention will be delivered through a Reforestation Scheme with 3 Elements:

1: Reforestation for Continuous Cover Forestry

2: Reforestation for Native Woodlands

3: Reforestation for Biodiversity and Water Protection

All elements will be subject to my Department's Forestry Standards, including the accepted species, origin and provenance list. Grant funding will be available and can be used for measures that ensure successful re-establishment, such as planting, plant protection (e.g. fencing) and maintenance.