Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
265. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether consideration is being given to introducing ongoing support or income mechanisms for owners of non-commercial forests following the expiry of forestry premium payments; and the proposals under consideration in this regard. [44818/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently offers a number of support measures that relate to management and conservation of broadleaf forests including for the development of skills that allow owners and their foresters to sustainably manage their forests.
These measures include:
• The Woodland Improvement Thinning and Tending Scheme for broadleaves aims to improve the quality and value of retained trees by removing poorer quality stems and redirecting growth onto better quality ones.
• A newly launched iPLAN scheme for Forest Management Plans which promotes more active forest management resulting in forests that have greater capacity to deliver eco-system services, climate resilience, roundwood value and forest health vitality than those that are not subject to forest management planning practices.
• A Forest Roads scheme that facilitates the construction of new forest roads to support forest management. Forest owners can receive €66 per linear metre for new roads constructed.
• Forestry Knowledge Transfer Groups (KTGs) whose aim is to increase the level of forest management activity and expertise amongst participating forest owners.
• The NeighbourWood Scheme provides a range of options to support private and public forest owners considering developing their forest into attractive, easily-accessible local woodlands for the recreational use and enjoyment by communities in both urban and rural parts of Ireland.
• The Native Woodland Conservation Scheme aims to conserve existing native woodland at key locations.
Forest owners may also qualify for an annual per hectare payment of 7 years duration through the NeighbourWood and Native Woodland Conservation Schemes. Work is also ongoing in the area of Carbon Farming with a view to delivering a National Framework for Carbon Farming in Ireland, as outlined in the Programme for Government.
