138. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the work carried out in relation to the formulation of a new forestry programme; and the engagement that has been carried out at an EU level. [74536/26]

The formulation of the Forestry Programme post-2027 is currently underway. My Department is working actively to ensure the inclusion of diverse stakeholder perspectives across the forestry sector, and that future forestry policy and programme design are informed by robust evidence. To date, this has included deliberate engagement with key stakeholder groups, behavioural analysis of landowner decision-making, and structured workshops.

My Department has published a Public Attitudes Survey on Forestry 2026 which built on our 2021 benchmark study.

Ireland’s Forestry Programmes requires State Aid approval from the European Commission. My Department will continue to engage with the Commission in this regard.

In respect of ongoing consultation with stakeholders my Department will facilitate a series of focussed regional stakeholder workshops planned in the coming weeks.

I am focussed on building on the potential contained in our current Forestry Programme 2023-2027 for the post 2027 period, so that we can continue to deliver lasting multifunctional benefits from forest for climate change, biodiversity, wood production, economic development alongside quality of life.