Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1218.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to consider implementing a policy providing financial support or compensation to foresters for attending necessary training events (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34082/24]

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1219.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how the forestry service plans to address the financial and logistical challenges faced by foresters due to the increased training requirements (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34083/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1218 and 1219 together.

I recognise that training is required in order to ensure that new environmental requirements are complied with, and to aid more generally in the delivery of the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027. Therefore, my Department has held both in-person and online training sessions for registered foresters and ecologists in relation to the changes that have been made to the afforestation scheme. This training has been welcomed by the vast majority of participants. Further training will be provided as required over the duration of this Programme.

These optional training events are free to attend and we have no plans to fund attendance at these events. In addition, training events delivered via webinar are published on my Department’s website and can be accessed at any time or location.

To date, five training webinars for registered foresters and ecologists on the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 have been published. Topics covered by these webinars include Afforestation Scheme applications, the Native Tree Area scheme, the Reconstitution Ash Dieback scheme, the Woodland Improvement Scheme, the Climate Resilient Reforestation Scheme, Native Woodland Establishment, and the Forest Road Scheme.

I fully recognise and appreciate the critical role played by registered foresters in implementing this new Forestry Programme. My Department has therefore established an Afforestation Technical Working Group, comprised of registered foresters and my officials, to assist in identifying any technical issues associated with the delivery of the Afforestation Scheme, to ensure standards are applied correctly, and to identify and prioritise such training requirements.