Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
1220. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ash crop owners, out of the 6,500 individual owners, that have applied for the RUS scheme; the number of hectares in total that have been approved for clearance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34117/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme 2020 (RUS) has been superceded by the Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme (RADS) introduced in 2023. Those applicants who were not approved under RUS at the end of 2022 were given the opportunity to opt into the RADS. Prior to RUS, the scheme was known as the Reconstitution Scheme Ash Dieback 2013. Outlined below is the amount of applications and approvals issued for each scheme.
|
Scheme |
Applications |
Hectares |
Approvals |
Hectares |
|
Reconstitution Scheme Ash Dieback 2013 |
575 |
2,877 |
565 |
2,786 |
|
RUS (minus opt-ins to RADS*) |
398 |
1,307 |
364 |
1,136 |
|
RADS (including RUS opt-ins) |
1,034 |
3,961 |
764 |
2,884 |
|
Total all schemes |
2,007 |
8,145 |
1,693 |
6,806 |
*543 applications for 2,273 ha not approved opted into RADS.
I would encourage those landowners who planted ash plantations under a Departmental Scheme and who have not yet applied to clear and replant these areas to now do so under my Department's RADS. Those landowners who replant their ash plantation under a Reconstitution Scheme may then apply for an additional Climate Action Performance Payment (CAPP) of €5,000 per hectare. Full details on how to apply for both the RADS and the CAPP are available at www.gov.ie/ashdiebacksupports.
