asked the Minister for Energy the proposals he is putting to the EC for funding of forestry development; and the way in which this will affect the grant aid already available in particular areas of Ireland for private and co-operative planting.
Written Answers. - Forestry Development.
43.
I have, through the appropriate channels, made proposals to the EC for:
(i) the implementation of Articles 15.3, 20 and 22 of the Agricultural Structures Regulation (EC) No. 797/85 on:
—the payment of compensatory allowances (headage payments) for afforestation,
—the payment of grants to farmers for afforestation, building forest roads and providing firebreaks and water-points in forests,
—the introduction of pilot schemes of demonstration farm forests and of co-operative forestry in the west of Ireland;
(ii) the revision of the western package;
(iii) the grant aiding of road construction in State forest under the Regional Development Regulation (EC) No. 1787/84;
(iv) the provision of loan finance from the European Investment Bank for ongoing forestry programmes;
(v) the grant aiding of research projects under the Communities Research Action Programme on materials and under programmes for the protection of forests from fire and acid rain.
The implementation of these proposals will increase the grant aid available for private and co-operative afforestation projects in all parts of the country.