Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1732. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of landowners affected by ash dieback disease who have received compensation to date; the support available for replanting and if he will introduce a new financial support scheme for affected forestry owners. [44918/25]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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In 2013 DAFM introduced the Reconstitution for Ash Dieback Scheme (RADS) as the first replanting scheme to provide financial support to help replant forests affected by the chalara ash fungus. RADS is currently open for applications under the current Forestry Programme 2023 - 2027.

The scheme funds up to 100% of costs which includes a site clearance grant of €2,000 per hectare, replanting grant rates of between €3,858 and €8,556 per hectare depending on the species re-planted, and premium payments which continue for the remainder of the duration of the original afforestation contract and adjusted depending on the species re-planted.

In addition to these payments, a Climate Action Performance Payment (CAPP) of €5,000 per hectare is available to all ash forest owners who fully engage with the Department’s ash dieback schemes, to clear sites and carry out replanting to participants in reconstitution schemes.

In the period from 2013 to 31 August 2025, 1,472 forest owners have been supported by the scheme across 1,591 plantations, at a total cost of €17,238,201. In addition, a total of €4,335,000 has been paid in CAPP.

I would encourage any affected forest owners who have not yet applied to contact their registered forester in the first instance as soon as possible to commence the process.