Independent TD Michael Lowry told the Dáil that 2023 saw the lowest amount of land planted for forestry since 1946.
In 2023, 1,651ha of forestry was planted, compared to 2,273ha in 2022, and 2,016ha in 2021.
There were also 88 afforestation licences issued in 2023 compared to over 700 in 2022.
“The amount of land planted for forestry in 2023 was 1650ha, that corresponds with the lowest in the history of the state. The last time we planted as low as that was in 1946,” Deputy Lowry said.
He said farmers are “losing complete confidence” in the forestry sector and are not being provided with “appropriate recompense” for ash dieback.
Forestry programme
In response to the deputy, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that the new €1.3 billion forestry programme will provide a “significant departure from previous years where the industry was in difficulty”.
With new licenses issuing every week, the Tánaiste said it will see an increase in forestry premiums of between 46% and 66%, and farmers will receive 20 years of premium payments compared to 15 years for non-farmers.
“A farmer planting, for example, 1ha of native broadleaf trees will receive €1,103 per year for 20 years tax free. That is approximately €22,000 for planting 1ha of land,” the Tánaiste said.
“Farmers can plant a hectare of native woodland without the need for a licence. There are certainly improvements in forestry but delivery will be key in that respect,” he added.
RZLT
Deputy Lowry also said that Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) continues to be an issue for farmers.
“The implementation of this tax is completely unfair and places a penal charge on farmers with land on the outskirts of towns and villages which is unlikely to be ever used for housing projects,” Deputy Lowry said.
“Many of the farmers adversely affected in Tipperary or north Kilkenny have already gone through the process of requesting dezoning and/or an exemption to this tax to their Local Authority and An Bord Pleanála.
“In the majority of instances, these requests have been refused. This will result in the imposition of an unaffordable and inequitable tax,” Deputy Lowry added.
The Tánaiste said that with remapping under way, the government is “endeavouring to make sure” that those who are in production and who want to continue farming are not taxed unfairly.