Holly Cairns (Cork South-West, Social Democrats)
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851. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if further funding will be made available in 2026 and 2027 for module 2 of the innovative forest technology scheme - investment aid for the development of the forest tree nursery sector. [63148/25]

Holly Cairns (Cork South-West, Social Democrats)
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852. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commit to including the investment aid for the development of the forest tree nursery sector scheme within the next Forestry Programme. [63149/25]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 851 and 852 together.

My Department announced last week that applications are now open for the fourth tranche of the Innovative Forest Technology Scheme: Module 2 - Investment Aid for the Development of the Forest Tree Nursery Sector.

The Scheme supports commercial Forest Reproductive Material (FRM) suppliers, including forest nurseries and seed collectors, to enhance the quantity, quality and diversity of native tree species for the forestry sector. FRM suppliers can receive up to €250,000 in funding for investments in native forest tree production. Successful applicants that receive approval under the fourth tranche will be paid in 2026 for which budget has been secured. Subject to budgetary allocation, it is intended to open the fifth and final tranche of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 in late 2026 and successful applicants would be paid throughout 2027.

Since the introduction of the Scheme in 2023, my Department has awarded almost €1.6m which helps to support the forest tree nursery sector in delivering high-quality trees, which will in turn help us to realise our ambitious planting targets.

The fourth tranche of the Innovative Forest Technology Scheme: Module 2 - Investment Aid for the Development of the Forest Tree Nursery Sector closes for applications on the 31st of December 2025 and I would encourage FRM suppliers to submit their projects for evaluation.

In relation to any future Forestry Programmes, consideration will be given to the inclusion of the Scheme subject to relevant State Aid rules and budgetary sanction.