asked the Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Tourism when he will extend the level of grant-aid available for afforestation in the 12 western counties to the rest of the country.
Written Answers. - Afforestation Grants.
33.
The grants in question which were part of the EC western package introduced to improve farmer's incomes in the less favoured areas of the west are not payable outside the western region as defined in the relevant EC directive.
The provision of the western package are at present being reviewed by the EC and the question of extending the scheme of afforestation grants to certain defined disadvantaged areas outside the western region is being raised with the EC Commission in that context.