Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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97. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the schemes in place to support the creation and enhancement of hedgerows and other linear and connective landscape features of value to wildlife; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35769/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Hedgerows are a valuable resource on Irish farms, contributing to both our biodiversity, water quality and climate ambitions.

There is an estimated 689,000 kms of hedgerows in the country. My Department, under Food Vision 2030, has committed to a target of 10% of the farmed area to be prioritised for biodiversity. Hedgerow and buffer strip creation will play a significant role in achieving this target. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) have implemented a number of measures to protect and enhance the network of hedgerows and landscape features on agricultural land under the CAP Strategic Plan.

The Deputy may be aware, that the Eco Scheme supports farmers to retain and enhance linear features on their farms. Indeed, in 2025 84% of farmers have selected the Eco-Scheme agricultural practice 1 ‘Space for Nature’ option, requiring a minimum of either 7% or 10% space for nature on their land to qualify. This practice aims to contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, enhance ecosystem services and preserve habitats and landscapes. Additionally, Eco-Scheme agricultural practice 4 provides farmers with the option of ‘planting of native trees and or hedgerows’ with over 1,100 farmers opting for this practice in 2025.

Under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES), there are five tree and hedgerow-related actions available to farmers which they commit to carry out on their holdings for five years. The actions specifically relating to hedgerows are planting of new hedgerows and rejuvenation of existing hedgerows through laying or coppicing. While hedgerows are a dominant habitat on most Irish farms, it is noted that the quality of many hedgerows is poor. The inclusion of two specific hedgerow rejuvenation actions in ACRES seeks to improve their quality, extend their lifespan and enable those hedgerows to better support biodiversity in the future. Over 2,300km of new hedgerows have been planted by over 6,300 participants in ACRES General, with over 11,000 participants committing to the maintenance and improvement of existing hedgerows through the coppicing and laying actions.

Other linear actions included in ACRES that are of value to wildlife include establishing Grass Margins, Riparian Buffer strips, Winter Bird Food strips and Unharvested Cereal Headlands.

There are some 870 kilometres of field boundaries are under supports from ACRES. These field boundaries aim to support wild bird and pollinator populations.

My Department will continue to support farmers through our CSP Schemes in respect of hedgerows and the many co-benefits they provide.