Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

361. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will accept that the recently announced changes to the Ash dieback compensation and support package, having employed a one-size-fits-all approach, has now resulted in introducing a level of inequity and unfairness into the proposals particularly given the huge disparity in clearance costs and economic losses between very young plantations and old plantations (details supplied); if he will clarify the reason that this flawed methodology was adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23773/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The package of measures to assist ash forest owners, including the financial aid as outlined in the Action Plan approved by the Government, offers relief and incentives to deal with this important issue. The overall financial aid for ash dieback potentially amounts to €237 million, including the new €79.5 million Climate Action Performance Payment.

In arriving at the financial package and other actions, my Department had regard to very many factors in relation to the age, size and stage in the growth/rotation cycle of ash forests, as well as the costs of the various operations involved. I note that the independent review welcomed, in the main, the grant package under the reconstitution scheme launched last year under the new forestry programme.

In addition to the complexities inherent in the ash forest estate, my Department was cognisant of the need for fairness, equity and value for money under the public expenditure code, the requirements under State Aid Regulations, and national and international deforestation obligations.

The Action Plan has been welcomed by many stakeholders and interest in the package is reflected in a significant increase in interest in the reconstitution scheme since the announcement. I outline below some of the details of the enhanced financial package now available to ash forest owners.

• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate, from €1,000 to €2,000 per hectare.
• Enhanced replanting grant rates under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027; depending on forest type. For conifer forests (FT12) that amounts to €3,858/ha. If the landowner chooses to replant with native trees, that rate is €6,744/ha, and it is €8,555/ha for agroforestry. In addition, grants of €2,880/ha are also available for Deer Fencing in respect of Forest Type 1 to 11.
• For clearing the site and replanting, the range of payment to landowners entering the scheme is from €5,858 up to €10,555/ha.
• Those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years.
• For those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type under the new Programme and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.
• For those in receipt of non-farmer rate of premium a top up €300 will be paid per hectare, calculated for the remaining period left in premium and paid in a single sum.
• In addition, the new Climate Action Performance Payment will entitle ash forest owners who clear their sites and replant to a further €5,000 per hectare.