Austin Deasy
Question:85 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he intends appointing additional forestry officers throughout the country in view of the heavy workload to which existing officers are subjected. [1804/96]
Vol. 460 No. 6
85 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he intends appointing additional forestry officers throughout the country in view of the heavy workload to which existing officers are subjected. [1804/96]
The introduction of the CAP afforestation grant scheme and forest premium scheme with their highly attractive grant rates has led to a rapid growth in plantings in recent years. Last year saw the highest level of plantings on record at 29,000 hectares. Of this a record 17,300 hectares was private afforestation and planting by farmers accounted for some 85 per cent of private afforestation.
The success of the afforestation scheme has meant an increased workload for all officials in the forest service in my Department. However, a range of measures have been undertaken to cope with the increased level of activity.
Since mid 1994 certain forestry contracting companies may undertake the initial site assessment work originally undertaken by the Department inspector. The operation of this self-assessment system, which is monitored closely by the forest service, has proved to be very effective, and an increasing proportion of applications are being processed this way.