617. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the progress on PeatFor; if this research project has any initial findings to detail; if there will be any interim report available; the estimated completion date for the research, given the significant cost of €2.8 million in funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53296/26]

The PeatFor (Management of peatland forests for climate and biodiversity) project is a five-year collaborative research project funded under my Department's 2023 Thematic Research Call.

The project received funding of €2.73 million following an open competitive call and rigorous international peer review.

It is led by the University of Limerick in partnership with University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Teagasc and Coillte.

Approximately 38% of Ireland's forests are located on peat soils. The project aims to improve scientific understanding of carbon and greenhouse gas dynamics in peatland forests and strengthen the evidence base supporting sustainable forest management, national greenhouse gas reporting and future policy development.

The project is progressing in accordance with its approved work programme. Research sites have been identified, literature reviews are underway and research methodologies are being established. As the project remains at a relatively early stage, it would be premature to report research findings. The research involves long-term field measurements and analysis, requiring sufficient data to be collected before statistically robust conclusions can be drawn.

Scientific findings will be disseminated by the research consortium through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and other knowledge transfer activities as analyses are completed and results become available.

The project is subject to my Department's normal monitoring and governance arrangements, including regular progress reporting against agreed milestones and deliverables. These reports support project management and are not intended as public scientific reports.

The project commenced in December 2024 and is expected to conclude in November 2029. In accordance with the funding agreement, the research consortium will submit a final report to my Department on completion of the project which will be published.