Processing for ash dieback reconstitution scheme taking 88 days on average
The average processing time for the Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme is 88 days, according to Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Healy-Rae.
He confirmed the processing times in response to a parliamentary question from Aontú TD Paul Lawless on the issue.
Minister Healy-Rae replied: “Since the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, my department has provided support to owners of ash forests impacted.
“Currently, a package of measures to assist ash forest owners, including financial aid approved by the government in April 2024, offers relief and incentives to ash forest owners to deal with this important issue.
“The overall financial aid for ash dieback potentially amounts to €237 million, including the €79.5 million Climate Action Performance Payment.”
The minister added that his department has been “meeting the timelines" set out in the Farmers Charter for Afforestation licences and that it "strives to process licence applications more quickly where possible”.
He also said that applications for Reconstitution of Ash Dieback are being prioritised by his department.
Minister Healy-Rae added: “Turnaround times are reducing and are currently at three months, well ahead of the agreed Farmers Charter commitment of a processing target of six months for screened-out applications (those not subject to Appropriate Assessment) and nine months for screened-in applications (those subject to Appropriate Assessment).”
The minister shared a table of average processing times.
| Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme | ||
| Hectares (ha) | Average Time (days) | Number of approvals |
| 5+ha | 111 | 8 |
| 0-5ha | 85 | 71 |
| Average Days | 88 |
Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme
Deputy Lawless also enquired about the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS), and the total number of hectares approved and replanted under the scheme since its inception.
Minister Healy-Rae replied: “The Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme commenced in 2013 to offer support to forests established under the afforestation scheme which have suffered from ash dieback by supporting the removal of affected trees and the re-planting with an alternative species.
“Since 2013, this scheme has been updated twice to improve the supports provided.
“In 2024, an additional Climate Action Performance Payment Scheme (CAPP) was also made available to those affected.”
Minister Healy-Rae provided a table with a summary of current financial supports available under the current Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023-2027:
| Measure | Individual benefit to site |
| Site clearance | €2,000 per hectare |
| Replanting grants | Between €3,858 and €8,555 per hectare |
| Top up premium payment | Dependant on site |
| Climate Action Performance Payment (New Element) | €5,000 per hectare |
The minister added: “Since 2013, over €23 million has been paid out to date to beneficiaries across both the Ash Dieback Reconstitution Schemes.
“The table below details the areas approved; area grant aided and total expenditure to date supporting reconstitution payments for forest owners affected by ash dieback.”
| Area Approvals Issued (ha) | Area Grant Aided (ha) | Total Expenditure to Date | |
| Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme Launched 2013 | 2,664 | 1,819 | €8.7 million |
| Reconstitution & Underplanting (Ash Dieback) Scheme – Launched 2020 | 1,170 | 620 | €2.65 million |
| Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023-2027 Launched 2023 | 5,756 | 2,696 | €11.7 million |
| Totals | 9,590 | 5,135 | €23.05 million |
The minister said that, in addition, payments of over €6 million have been made for the CAPP scheme.
He added: “My department continues to actively encourage engage who has been affected and not yet claimed their grant to do so as soon as possible."
