Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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311. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a premium will be payable to persons who as a result of storm Éowyn have to replant their forest under the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49341/25]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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I recognise that the winter storms caused unprecedented challenge that the recent storms caused to forests and stakeholders this year. The volume of timber normally felled over a 2.5-year period was blown down overnight during storm Éowyn. An assessment carried out jointly by Coillte and my Department indicated a total of around 27,000 hectares were blown down, with just over 11,400 hectares of private forest.

My Departments developed a clear action plan in response which has included: setting up of a Windblow Taskforce; bringing in machines into the country to help with harvesting efforts; working with the ESB to protect power lines in case of future similar events; allowing thinning and clearfell licences to be used in removing storm damaged trees; and prioritising the processing of storm-related felling and road licence applications.

This action plan has redirected approximately 90% of the harvesting capacity in the country to work in windblow areas, and resulted in 65% of windblown trees already having a felling licence with an additional 20% applications in the system being prioritised.

While direct compensation cannot be paid, in accordance with EU State Aid rules, my Department is working to introduce a Reconstitution Scheme and I want to reassure affected forest owners that they will not be disadvantaged by undertaking works now.

I wish to reassure the Deputy and forest owners, that we continue to work hard to support everyone effected by Storm Éowyn and to secure a future for forestry in Ireland.