Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2024
502. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline all current grants, schemes and supports available for the removal of trees with ash dieback, in tabular form; and the annual funding allocated for each such measure. [41074/24]
View answerIn July 2023 my Department launched the Reconstitution scheme for Ash Dieback (RADS) under the new Forestry Programme 2023-27 with the following enhanced features:
• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate, from €1,000 to €2,000.
• Enhanced replanting grant rates under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027.Those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years.
• In addition, for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.
The following table outlines the funding allocated for Reconstitution schemes under the Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027, of which the RADS will be paid from.
|
Scheme/Supports |
Annual Funding 2024 |
Annual Funding 2025 |
Annual Funding 2026 |
Annual Funding 2027 |
|
Reconstitution of Ash dieback scheme (RADS) |
€4,060,700 |
€4,060,700 |
€4,060,700 |
€4,060,700 |
|
Climate Action Performance Payment (CAPP) |
€13,187,500 |
€9,577,350 |
€9,577,350 |
€9,117,588 |
The Climate Action Performance Payment, totalling €5,000 per hectare, will be paid in three instalments to grant-aided ash forest owners who clear their sites and replant through either a previous Ash Dieback Reconstitution Scheme or the current Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023 to 2027.
Almost 16,000 hectares of ash forests were grant aided by the Department from 1990. All of these forest owners are eligible to avail of a reconstitution scheme and a Climate Action Performance Payment.
