asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry the opportunities available for young people to engage in forestry courses and the incentives available to those intending setting up in the business of forestry development.
Written Answers. - Forestry Courses.
31.
My Department are not at present providing training courses in forestry for young people because the number of trained foresters available is surplus to foreseeable requirements. However, a course in forestry leading to a degree of Batchelor of Agricultural Science (Forestry) is available at University College, Dublin.
As regards incentives for afforestation my Department operate two schemes which provide for the payment of planting grants towards the cost of establishing forestry plantations. Under the EC Western Package Scheme grants are payable towards the cost of afforesting land which is marginal for agriculture but suitable for forestry in the less favoured areas of the west. The other scheme provides for flat rate grants for afforestation on a country wide basis.