Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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39. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will properly engage with those affected by ash dieback in order to reflect their views in the reconstitution ash dieback scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25712/24]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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I ask the Minister of State about the recent changes that have been announced to the scheme for those affected by trees with ash dieback. I was disappointed to learn from some organisations that there was no consultation with them on what the changes to the scheme would actually look like. That is deeply disappointing and was a mistake. We are now left with a situation whereby there are many people who are very unhappy and deeply frustrated with what has been announced in respect of the scheme. I would appreciate if she would acknowledge and agree to meet them regarding the changes she has made the scheme.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Senator Pippa Hackett):

I thank Deputy Kerrane for the question. As she and everyone in the House knows, I take very seriously the effect that ash dieback has had on those landowners who planted ash under schemes my Department funded over the years. That is why I set up the independent review group last year. Its remit was to review the existing and previous supports available to those ash forest owners. In doing so, the group engaged extensively and at length with representative groups and individual landowners affected by ash dieback and their views are reflected in the final published report.

In response to that report, I secured Government approval, after a prolonged process, for an ash dieback action plan which addresses all 13 of the review group's recommendations. It provides for, among other things, an additional €79.5 million in funding to pay for a new climate action performance payment. This tax-free payment of €5,000 per hectare is available to those forest owners who fully engage with my Department's reconstitution schemes and carry out replanting. Under the new reconstitution for ash dieback scheme that opened last year, site clearance grants were doubled to €2,000 per hectare, which the review group accepted as a reasonable sum. Furthermore, grant and premium rates under the scheme were enhanced to the higher levels on offer in the new forestry programme. This now brings the overall financial package available to ash plantation owners who are dealing with or have dealt with ash dieback to over €230 million. I believe that the action plan, including the financial package, is a robust and definitive response to what has undoubtedly been a challenging and extremely difficult time for many farmers.

In terms of implementation of the action plan, we are engaging in an open and detailed manner with those affected by ash dieback. This is being facilitated through the ash dieback task force, which held a meeting on 28 May 2024. The task force comprises the relevant stakeholders, including representatives of ash forest owners, and its purpose is to facilitate a co-ordinated response and swift implementation of the action plan.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State for her reply. Of course here was engagement, which I acknowledge, in terms of the review report on the existing scheme. The report told us the State should cover the full cost of clearance and was also very clear in saying that the Department should explore the potential for a once-off ex gratia payment. There was engagement at that level when the review was carried out. However, I am referring to engagement with the changes made to the scheme. Many people affected by this are not happy with those changes. Representatives from Limerick and Tipperary woodland owners came before an Oireachtas committee yesterday. They are very unhappy, annoyed, frustrated and upset by the changes which have been announced that do not cover the cost of site clearance in every circumstance. One person was quoted €10,000 for clearance. Why should they have to pay €8,000 to clear a plant that has been destroyed through no fault of their own?

Senator Pippa Hackett:

I thank the Deputy. As I said, there has been extensive engagement, not only through the independent review group. A significant package has been brought forward. There have been accusations that there have been changes to the scheme. The ash dieback reconstitution scheme was established last year and I have always encouraged people to apply for it because it is the first entry point for any farmer who wishes to avail of the climate action performance payment. There has been no change to that aspect of the scheme.

A significant additional package of almost €80 million for the climate action performance payment was secured. There are several disgruntled people, but the vast majority of owners affected by ash dieback are very happy with the scheme. Some thought they would never see any scheme that would support them. There is widespread acceptance of and engagement with the scheme. I would like to put on the record that the reconstitution scheme has issued approvals for over 2,300 ha in the past ten months.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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To be clear, there is no accusation in regard to the changes. The changes I am referring to are the additions to what was there, which everyone wanted to see. However, people wanted them reflected in the independent review report with which they engaged. The fact is that once the independent review report was completed, and an additional climate action performance payment and other changes to the scheme were announced, there was no engagement with the sector.

People are really annoyed. There was a protest two weeks ago outside Leinster House that was attended by about 200 people, none of whom is happy with the scheme. Where is the Minister of State picking up that people are very happy with the scheme? That is certainly not what I am hearing.

Regarding site clearance, people planted trees, did what was asked of them and what they were encouraged by the Department to do and have had their trees destroyed through no fault of their own. Why should they be out of pocket and have to spend thousands to clear trees? Most landowners are not in a position to pay for that. This is a major issue and it will mean that these trees will not be cleared.

Senator Pippa Hackett:

The site clearance aspect was addressed by the independent review. Having engaged with all stakeholders, including landowners, it was felt that doubling the clearance rate from €1,000 to €2,000 per ha was a fair picture to paint and price to pay. I accept that there will be examples where people have to pay more. This is a grant to support clearance. In some instances, the clearance might not cost €2,000.

I accept that there will be extreme examples - the one the Deputy quoted is pretty extreme - on the basis of what the independent review group heard only last year from the stakeholders the Deputy is now saying are completely dissatisfied with the scheme. The ash dieback task force is the forum for anyone who has an issue with the scheme to engage with. It has met and will continue to meet. Its sole purpose is to allow for owners affected by ash dieback and other stakeholders to have their voices heard. That is where that needs to be done and that is why I established it.

The majority of organisations involved in that are engaging proactively and progressively.