Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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546. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, with regard to the environmental considerations map layers available via the iNET mapping system which demonstrate the different layers of consideration for afforestation under criteria for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027, he will provide those maps as one combined map with all relevant layers to show a holistic overview of area available for afforestation under the new programme, as previously confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16133/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has made the Environmental Considerations map layers relevant to afforestation applications available to registered foresters via DAFM’s iNET mapping system. These maps help registered foresters to identify opportunities for further forest planting in Ireland, along with indicating areas where new forest planting may be inappropriate, for a variety of reasons.

The environmental consideration layers are well known, available on INET, and in many cases are already in the public domain and can be downloaded for inclusion with registered forester’s mapping systems (e.g. Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation, Natural Heritage Areas, Fresh Water Pearl Mussel Catchments, Hen Harrier Article 12 Areas). For the purposes of determining the eligibility of specific projects for the afforestation scheme, land owners and registered foresters are advised to consult the relevant environmental consideration map layers on iNET and other relevant afforestation scheme eligibility requirements which are detailed in the scheme documentation from my Departments website.

An Indicative Forestry Statement (IFS) was developed and introduced by the Forest Service in 2008 to assist in the planning of future afforestation which my Department is currently updating. This update will incorporate the new afforestation environmental considerations and associated map layers agreed for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027. The updated Indicative Forestry Statement map will provide for high-level, national guidance in relation to the suitability of land for afforestation and will facilitate the establishment of forests serving a variety of purposes including timber production, enhancement of the environment, mitigation of climate change, forest industry development, creation of alternative off farm incomes and opportunities for tourism and amenity use.

The IFS is a map-based approach which integrates many different spatial datasets which take account of a wide range of environmental factors and other opportunities and constraints. The IFS identifies areas most suitable for planting primarily on the basis of environmental considerations and soil-productivity. The map-based environmental considerations have been captured from a variety of state organisations, such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Fisheries Boards, the EPA and the Local Authorities.

The updated Indicative Forest Statement map will identify opportunities for further forest planting in Ireland, along with areas where new forest planting would be inappropriate, for a variety of reasons. The Statement aims to guide and promote sustainable forestry in line with the Government’s strategy for the development of the sector and will provide a positive vision for the location and type of woodlands and forests we wish to develop in Ireland.

My Department officials have undertaken to complete the work to update the Indicative Forest Statement by the third quarter of 2024.