Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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2214. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to initiating a new largescale afforestation programme to reduce our carbon footprint and provide much needed income to small farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43285/25]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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Forests have a key role to play in our national objectives of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The Government’s afforestation target of 8,000 hectares per year is set out in the Climate Action Plan.

The current Forestry Programme provides a wide range of generous financial incentives and planting options to encourage people to plant trees. This includes an increase in forestry premiums of between 46% and 66% with farmers in receipt of 20 years of premium payments compared to 15 years for non-farmers.

My Department actively communicates the benefits of participation and encourages more farmers and landowners to avail of these schemes. This includes advertising, engagement with farmers and landowners at a local level as well as national events such as the National Ploughing Championships and the Tullamore show.

My Department works closely with Teagasc in the promotion of forestry through its various open days, the Lets Talk Trees nationwide information meetings, and other events.

My Department also provided €1.4 million under the Open Call for Forestry Promotion supporting 42 stakeholder projects in 2023/24, and allocated €1.53 million to support 48 projects in 2025/26. Since August 2023, free training events for registered foresters have also been provided.

Through strong financial provision and a widespread communication campaign, new plantings are increasing significantly this year to date. New planting since January to date this year are at 1,662 hectares, more than double for the same period last year. In addition, there are 4,500 hectares approved but not yet fully planted.

My Department is also undertaking a mid-term review of the current Forestry Programme which provides an opportunity for key stakeholders and representative organisations to submit their recommendations for the continual development programme.