Written Answers Nos. 92-110
92. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for a visa in the case of a person (details supplied); if a decision is due to issue, given they are due to travel shortly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16824/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the visa application referred to was approved on 9 April 2024.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie), which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
93. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the total number of gardaí in the roads policing unit for each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024, to include a breakdown by rank and division for each of those years, in tabular form. [16830/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe have all been shocked by the recent loss of life on our roads, and concerned by the worrying increase in road fatalities after many years of progress in making our roads safer. Road safety is a shared responsibility and one which this Government takes very seriously.
Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of all members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all. The Garda Commissioner has recently confirmed that all uniform Gardaí will undertake 30 minutes of high visibility roads policing in each tour of duty.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including managing the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to keep people safe. An Garda Síochána has been allocated unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for 2024 representing a 25% increase since 2020. This funding will allow for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority continue to highlight to the public the dangerous behaviours which give rise to so many collisions and fatalities through road safety appeals and campaigns. Everyone who gets behind the wheel of a car, or is a passenger in a car has a role to play in ensuring that drivers behave in a safe manner.
There are still too many people willing to drive without due care, be that by speeding, driving recklessly, being distracted, perhaps by using a mobile phone, or driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Encouraging drivers to change poor behaviours will have a much greater impact on road safety than any number of additional Gardaí.
Whether its fixed cameras, average speed cameras or GoSafe vans, we need to use technology to work to reverse some of these trends. My Department and An Garda Síochána will play their part in the joint-agency working group, led by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, to develop a national Safety Camera Strategy.
The use of technology is also evident in the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), which primarily supports Gardaí in the detection of tax and insurance offences along with disqualified drivers. We know that those who drive without insurance are more likely to engage in other unsafe driving behaviours. In the first two months of this year alone, An Garda Síochána seized almost 2,500 vehicles from drivers with no insurance.
There are also significant opportunities for increased camera-based enforcement nationwide. New average speed camera sites and fixed camera sites are in the pipeline, and more broadly An Garda Síochána is working closely with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and other stakeholders, as it develops a national camera strategy to leverage technology further to support enforcement.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 31 March 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there were a total of 14,059 Garda members nationwide. This represents an increase of almost 10% since the end of December 2015. In addition, the civilianisation programme has freed up almost 900 Garda members from back office work for front line policing work since 2015.
I am further advised that the table below sets out the number of Garda members attached to Roads Policing duty for the years 2019 up to the end of March 2024, the latest date for when figures are available. Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.
|
Year |
Inspector |
Sergeant |
Garda |
Total |
|
Mar-24 |
6 |
61 |
564 |
631 |
|
2023 |
6 |
62 |
564 |
632 |
|
2022 |
7 |
70 |
615 |
692 |
|
2021 |
8 |
76 |
652 |
736 |
|
2020 |
10 |
81 |
642 |
733 |
|
2019 |
10 |
85 |
628 |
723 |
Further information in relation to the number of Garda members assigned to Roads Policing duty by Division can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
94. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if she will expedite an application for the atypical work scheme, given the time constraints outlined in correspondence from the applicant with her Department (details supplied). [16866/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am happy to report that the Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) application from the person referred to by the Deputy was approved on 11 April 2024.
It should be noted that the stated minimum processing time required under the terms of the Atypical Working Scheme is 20 working days and the processing time for the application referred to was within that timeframe.
Further information for Nurses applying through the AWS scheme is available on my Department’s website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/what-are-my-work-visa-options/applying-for-a-long-stay-employment-visa/atypical-working-scheme/atypical-working-scheme-for-nurses/
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
95. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice if a referendum will be required before the State can formally opt in to the regulations that comprise the EU Migration and Asylum Pact (the Pact) which was approved by the European Parliament on 10 March 2024, given the potential significant financial burden or charge on funds on the State arising from any such formal opt-in to the regulations (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16868/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected.
The EU Asylum and Migration Pact will significantly reform the current approach to migration and asylum both in Ireland and across the EU by providing a robust legislative framework to address the challenges faced in this area.
The overall objective of the Pact is to create a fairer and firmer asylum and migration system.
The Pact recognises that the challenges presented by migration and asylum cannot be effectively addressed by any state acting alone in a globalised and interdependent world. As such, it will establish a more coherent approach across the EU to migration, asylum, integration and border management, fit for the 21st century.
The Pact will require:
• The full repeal of the International Protection Act 2015.
• Legally binding timeframes for making decisions on international protection applications and appeals.
• A greater focus on efficient returns for unsuccessful applicants
• Accelerated processing including for those from safe countries, those with no or false documents, and those who have crossed borders illegally.
• Those who are processed under the border procedure will be accommodated in dedicated accommodation centres. Their applications, appeals and removal decisions must be processed within 90 days.
• A new solidarity mechanism requiring countries to make a financial contribution, agree to relocate some asylum seekers or deploy personnel. These resources will be used to take the pressure off countries facing particular pressure.
• The expansion of the Eurodac database, used to check migrants fingerprints, will enable even more information to be shared between countries.
Opting-in to the Pact is an opportunity for Ireland to undertake coordinated wide-reaching reforms. The changes that being made are a game changer and represent the most significant reform of Irish immigration law in decades.
The solidarity mechanism contained within the Pact is to assist Member States facing migratory pressure.
All Member States would contribute to this Solidarity Pool on the basis of a proportional “fair share” principle (based on the formula 50% population and 50% GDP).
It is very important to clarify that the “fair share” contribution for Ireland would apply to the solidarity pool to be established, not to the total number of asylum applications across the EU. The entire Solidarity Pool for the whole EU is capped at 30,000 relocations.
Member States will have discretion on the type of solidarity they contribute. This can take the form of relocations, financial contributions or alternative solidarity measures such as deployment of personnel. So it is not the case that Ireland will necessarily be required to accept greater numbers of asylum seekers under this mechanism.
While Ireland has one of the highest GDPs in the EU, it should be noted that we have one of the smallest populations and this is reflected in the formula overall.
Should Ireland be considered to be under migratory pressure in the future, we will be able to avail of solidarity from other Member States.
The Deputy should also be aware that there could be significant costs for Ireland if we do not opt in. Secondary movement is one of the biggest issues we face, and the Pact will provide the legal mechanisms to return unsuccessful and inadmissible applicants more efficiently. In not opting into the pact, it is likely that we would face higher levels of secondary movement, slower processing and a less efficient returns system. This would result in much greater cost to the state, in terms of the provision of accommodation and other supports.
The Pact does not contain any provisions that would require a constitutional referendum, but as measures governed by Protocol 21 of the TFEU, any request to opt-in by Ireland requires prior approval by both Houses under Art 29.4.7 of the Constitution, and I will seek that approval in the coming weeks. It is the case the Pact will be subject to discussion in the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice next week, and full debates in the Dáil and Seanad thereafter.
Any existing EU measures on asylum and migration in which Ireland participates, such as the Reception Conditions Directive, Asylum Procedures Directive and Qualifications Directive, were approved by the Houses prior to Ireland’s opt-in. Ireland will remain bound by these measures if we do not opt-in to the Pact.
In order for Ireland to operationalise the Pact at the same time as other Member States in 2026, work on transposing legislation and operational reform would begin at pace following approval by the Houses of the Oireachtas. I intend to introduce legislation to repeal the International Protection Act 2015 which will be subject to pre legislative scrutiny and the full legislative process in both houses.
My Department will establish an interdepartmental Project Board to develop and progress an implementation plan for the Asylum and Migration Pact, with the support of the Commission, to ensure transposition of the measures by mid-2026.
96. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of international protection applicants who have applied for permission to her to leave Ireland from 2019 to date in 2024; the application criteria her Department applies in such instances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16872/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra97. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of international protection applicants who have applied for permission to leave Ireland from 2019 to date in 2024; if her Department notifies the Department of Social Protection when permission is granted; the number of such notifications provided to that Department from 2019 to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16873/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 97 together.
Section 16 of the International Protection Act 2015 deals with permission to enter and remain in the State in the context of international protection applicants. Section 16(3)(a) of that Act provides that an applicant, as defined in section 2(1) of the same Act, shall not leave, or attempt to leave, the State without the consent of the Minister.
In terms of the application criteria to be applied in such instances, the position is that each such request received will be considered on its individual merits. An important consideration in any such case will be to ensure that there is no incompatibility between the request being made and the requester’s position as an international protection applicant in the State. In the normal course of events, any such request made will be responded to within a matter of days. On occasion, it may be necessary to request clarification or further information around the request made before a decision can be made on the request. Typically the purpose of travel is for personal, humanitarian or medical grounds.
While records are not held in respect of the requests of this nature made in the years between 2019 and 2023, I am advised that in the region of 100 such requests are generally received, with the number being significantly lower during the period in which of restrictions on international travel caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In the context of 2024, I can advise the Deputy that, up to 15 April 2024, 27 requests of this nature have been received.
I am advised that it is not the practice of my Department to notify the Department of Social Protection when a request for ministerial consent to leave the State is being accommodated. Requests for consent to leave the State are typically for no more than a few days.
Finally, It is important to note that any international protection applicant who obtains ministerial consent to leave the State will also be required to satisfy the immigration requirements of the country of destination before they can make concrete plans to leave the State.
98. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice for an update on the proposed new Garda station at Northern Cross, Dublin 17; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16906/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that the development of a substantial new Garda station and facilities on Dublin City Council lands at the corner of the R139 and the Malahide Road at Northern Cross is considered a strategic priority project by An Garda Síochána, and has the full support of Government.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) are leading on this project and they have advised that there is ongoing engagement between the OPW and Dublin City Council, in consultation with An Garda Síochána, on the development of the site at Northern Cross.
I am also advised that the OPW have undertaken a high level impact study of the site and a detailed brief of requirements is being developed with An Garda Síochána.
Under the National Development Plan, the Government is committed to investing significant levels of capital funding into An Garda Síochána to deliver a Garda station modernisation and refurbishment programme, to delivering strategic ICT and digitalisation projects, and to providing a modern, fit-for-purpose Garda fleet. This is a core part of the Government’s plan to build stronger, safer communities.
The development of a substantial Garda station including a new divisional headquarters for Dublin Metropolitan Region North, would constitute one of the most significant Garda Building investments in the National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 and I very much look forward to progressing its development.
99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application for a naturalisation certificate in respect of a person (details supplied); if the certificate has issued to date; if not, the expected timeline for it to issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16922/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise that the delay in receiving a Naturalisation Certificate is frustrating for people and my Department is examining on how to speed up the delivery of Certificates for future Ceremonies to be held this year.
Any applicants that are yet to receive their certificate from the February Ceremony can be assured that they will receive their Certificate of Naturalisation via registered post in the coming weeks.
In a little over two years the Citizenship Division of my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year to processing over 20,000 applications. This 66% increase in processing has been achieved through digitising and streamlining processes.
Last year Citizenship Division more than doubled the number of Citizenship Ceremonies available to applicants with 15 held over the course of the year. These took place in the RDS, Dublin in March, in the INEC, Killarney in June, and in the Convention Centre in both October and December. This was a significant increase on 6 Citizenship Ceremonies held in 2022.
Finally, I can advise the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department will continue to communicate regularly with all applicants to keep them informed on updates on processing times and arrangements.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
100. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice the up-to-date position regarding the possible posthumous pardoning in the historic cases of Poff and Barrett in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17039/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, yesterday I secured Government approval to recommend to President Higgins to grant a posthumous presidential pardon to Mr Sylvester Poff and Mr James Barrett. This decision was made based on a number of factors in this case, and based upon the detailed Report received from Dr Niamh Howlin.
On the basis of these considerations, myself and my Government colleagues have decided to recommend to the President that he exercise his right to pardon, contained in Article 13.6 of the Constitution, on the grounds their convictions were unsafe by the standards of the time.
Both men were wrongfully convicted and suffered the harshest penalty under the law of the time in what can now be attributed to a miscarriage of justice.
101. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 922 and 923 of 20 March 2024, if she will address further matters (details supplied). [17063/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). This includes all decisions relating to data control and data protection regarding information held on Garda IT systems, including PULSE. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
It should be noted that An Garda Síochána is the data controller for the information requested, and not my Department. It is therefore the Commissioner's responsibility to gauge any potential data protection risk.
The Deputy will also be aware that there are restrictions on identification of offenders if the offender is a child under the Children Act 2001 (as amended). As the release of data at a level of detail requested by the Deputy in the Parliamentary Questions referred to may present a risk of possible identification of both offenders, and consequently the victims who are afforded anonymity, the information cannot be provided.
In relation to the previous Parliamentary Questions, this risk exists as particular offences may be low in a given year, leading to a risk of identification. The Deputy will appreciate that the protection of victims of sexual offences and the prevention of their re-victimisation is paramount.
102. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total area of tillage land in the State, in hectares; the number of tillage farms; and the average farm size, in hectares. [16912/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnnually farmers are required to submit an application in support of area-based payments such as the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS) and other associated area-based schemes such as Protein Aid and the ECO scheme.
In 2023, a total of 126,429 area-based applications were received by my Department. On these applications a total of 365,860.92 hectares was claimed as tillage crops. 15,917 herds claimed at least one parcel with a tillage crop. The average farm size for these herds with at least one tillage crop was 61.04 hectares.
103. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants under the tillage capital investment scheme; the total area of land; and the average farm size of those partaking. [16913/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of 889 applications were received from 770 farmers under the first two tranches of the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme, which opened in May last year. These applicants had a total land area of 93,617 hectares, with an average farm size of 122 hectares.
It should be noted that applicants are permitted to submit multiple applications under the scheme. For example, a tillage farmer could submit an application for a grain store and an application for minimum disturbance tillage equipment.
A further 216 applications were received in the third tranche of the scheme, which closed on 12 April 2024. The precise number of hectares covered by these applications will be available once an assessment of the applications is carried out.
104. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of participants under the tillage incentive scheme; the total area of land; and the average farm size of those partaking. [16914/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tillage Incentive Scheme (TIS) is a support Measure for farmers to incentivise the increase in the eligible tillage crop area in order to assist in reducing the dependency on imported feed material.
The Scheme is funded from a National Exchequer allocation to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine provided to offset some of the negative impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on food and input prices and availability. The scheme is implemented pursuant to the Temporary Crisis Framework for State Aid measures to support the economy following the aggression against Ukraine by Russia.
Under the 2023 Tillage Incentive Scheme, 2,862 farm entities received some €8,685 million in support of 27,081 hectares converted and maintained as tillage.
The average conversion rate to tillage was nine hectares per holding out of an overall average claimed area of 80 hectares.
105. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of extending the tillage capital investment scheme to farmers with less than 15 ha of owned, leased or rented lands. [16915/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tillage Capital Investment Scheme is a measure under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3). As outlined in the terms and conditions of the scheme, eligible applicants must have a minimum area of 15 hectares of eligible crops declared under their Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Payment Scheme, or equivalent, in the year of application, or previous year. The eligible crops are defined in the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme.
TAMS 3 is a demand-led scheme, with significant budgetary constraints. In order to ensure the most efficient allocation of resources under the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme, the Scheme is specifically targeted at farmers who have tillage as their main enterprise. The cost of extending the eligibility criteria as suggested in the question would be significant.
Just to put this into context, the total number of farms in Ireland with tillage crops less than 15 hectares amounts to slightly over 10,000 farms. Based on the current average grant aid in TAMS of €12,000, this would equate to an additional budget allocation of €120 million, assuming all 10,000 applied for grant aid under the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme. With this in mind, I have no plans to widen the eligibility criteria for the scheme at this time.
106. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a breakdown of the total number of applications for the reconstitution scheme for ash dieback; the number of approvals to date; and the total area and the average size of plantations affected by ash dieback that have applied for the reconstitution scheme, in tabular form. [16916/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023-2027 is contained within the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 and was introduced on 24/07/2023.
Through the Reconstitution Scheme, DAFM financial support can be made available for:
a) Site clearance: This involves the clearance of ash trees and associated operations in order to present the site for reconstitution.
b) Reconstitution: This involves the replacement of ash trees with alternative species following ash clearance.
The following Forest Types are available for replanting:
|
FT1 Native forests |
|
|
FT6 Broadleaf, mainly oak and beech |
|
|
FT7 Diverse Broadleaf |
|
|
FT8 Agroforestry |
|
|
FT10 Continuous Cover Forestry |
|
|
FT11 Mixed high forests: Diverse Conifer |
|
|
FT12 Mixed high forests with Sitka Spruce and minimum 20% broadleaves |
Details of valid applications received and licences approved since the commencement of the Forestry Programme 23 - 27 can be found in the table below.
|
Total no. received |
Total area |
No. approved |
Area approved |
Average area applied for |
|
843* |
3,371 |
516 |
2,015ha |
4ha |
*Of the applications received, 309 (1143ha) were applied for under the new Programme; the remaining 534 (2,228ha) were originally applied for under the old Programme and opted into the new Programme.
107. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a breakdown of the capital and current funding allocated to the reconstitution scheme for ash dieback in 2023 and 2024, respectively, in tabular form. [16917/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra108. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of increasing the site clearance grant rates and replanting grant rates under the reconstitution scheme for ash dieback by 10%, 20% and 30%, respectively. [16918/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra109. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual cost of a 10%, 20% and 30% increase in the area of plantations approved for aid under the reconstitution scheme for ash dieback, in tabular form, for each of the years 2025 to 2029. [16919/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra110. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of increasing funding for the reconstitution scheme for ash dieback by 1%, 2% and 10%, respectively. [16920/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 107 to 110, inclusive, together.
The funding for the Reconstitution scheme is capital funding and there is no current funding involved. My colleague, Minister of State Pippa Hackett will be announcing further actions shortly to deal with ash dieback which will increase demand for the reconstitution scheme and encourage entry into the scheme during the lifetime of this programme in the context of the Departments overall NDP allocation.
I therefore anticipate a full take up of the Reconstitution for Ash Dieback scheme involving all ash forests that have yet to be cleared and replanted. The annual budget allocation will be sufficient to meet this demand distributed over the lifetime of the forestry programme. The overall capital allocation for forestry in 2023 was €108. 4 million and for 2024 is €115 million.This budgetary allocation will support all the forestry schemes. To date in 2024 we have issued approvals for 2,015 hectares under the reconstitution scheme and there are applications for a further 1,356 hectares in the system at this point. I am very conscious of the fact that ash dieback is likely one of the factors potentially impeding confidence in the afforestation schemes and must be dealt with. This is why detailed deliberations have been held on the details of the action plan to be brought to Cabinet.
The costs of the Reconstitution Scheme are as agreed by the EU Commission and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP delivery and Reform. The site clearance grant was doubled to €2,000 per hectare and the new planting rates applied, as per new programme. I would not envisage a change in these rates. I, nonetheless, provide indicative figures in the table below to respond to your request for the cost of increasing the site clearance grant rates and replanting grant rates by 10%, 20% and 30% respectively.
It should be remembered that there are 7 different planting grant rates available for the replanting of ash forests. For the figures below an indicative mean of those rates is used. These figures are based on all outstanding ash forests entering the reconstitution scheme.
|
- |
10% |
20% |
30% |
|
Site Clearance |
€2,860,000 |
€5,720,000 |
€8,580,000 |
|
Grant Rates |
€8,189,610 |
€16,379,220 |
€24,568,830 |
With respect to the annual cost of an increase in the area of plantations approved for aid under the reconstitution scheme for ash dieback for each of the years 2025 to 2029, we anticipate that all outstanding ash forests will enter the scheme on an evenly distributed basis to 2027, and we intend to meet this demand within the overall forestry budget allocation. It is of course the case that like all forestry schemes the reconstitution scheme is demand led.
We have projected that the total cost of all outstanding ash forests engaging with the Ash Dieback scheme to be €118 million. The table below shows, as requested the effect an increase of 1%, 2% and 10% would have on the overall projected expenditure figure of €118 million. As mentioned, Minister Hackett will be bringing proposals to Cabinet to encourage uptake of the Scheme.
|
% |
|
|
1% |
€1,180,000 |
|
2% |
€2,360,000 |
|
10% |
€11,800,000 |
