Laois Offaly TD welcomes ash dieback package for farmers

Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan has welcomed the announcement from Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue concerning a €79.5 million package for farmers affected by ash dieback.

Deputy Nolan was speaking after the Minister confirmed that he will be seeking approval for the package that includes a €5,000 per hectare payment to farmers who clear ash sites and re-establish new forests in their place.

Minister McConalogue said the package will help around 6,000 farmers. He said it is a final offer and is significant and it provides the financial support for farmers to be able to replant.

Deputy Nolan said: “I think the first thing to be said regarding this development is that it is about time.

“We all know that the failure of Government to provide pragmatic solutions to the Ash dieback crisis has caused untold reputational damage to the sector and incalculable levels of stress for farmers and those within the forestry sector who relied on ash as an income stream.”

“We now have the outlines of a package that I sincerely hope will not turn into another bureaucratic mess. We need a working accessible scheme and not just a headline for the ministers prior to the local elections,” added Deputy Nolan.

Minister of State Pippa Hackett said the scheme should be implemented within a few months.
"Farmers will be getting paid this year," she said.

Ash dieback is a serious disease of ash trees that is caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus.