Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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193. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the climate resilient reforestation scheme will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26656/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Forestry owners who harvest trees are already subject to a replanting obligation.

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.

My Department is currently developing a system to allow applications for the Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme to be accepted electronically. Development is at an advanced stage and it is our intention to launch the Scheme in the coming weeks.

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.