asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will outline (a) his Department's plans to develop and promote afforestation as a worthwhile alternative land use; and (b) the efforts at present undertaken by his Department to expand private forestry development.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Private Forestry Development.
8.
The wide range of measures undertaken by my Department aimed at promoting afforestation as an alternative form of land use with a view to bringing about an expansion of private forestry includes the following:
—implementation of two planting grant schemes
—provision of a free technical advisory service
—organisation of a comprehensive workshop in relation to forestry investment
—promotional literature including publication of an informative booklet entitled Investing in Forestry
—liaison with farming organisations
—planting demonstrations
—on-going publicity through illustrated talks by departmental staff, advertisements and articles in the media and participation in the RDS Spring Show and other agricultural shows.