asked the Minister for Energy if he has satisfied himself that the present grant system for forestry, especially in the disadvantaged areas, will secure the timber supplies for the future.
Written Answers. - Forestry Grant System.
36.
The private forestry grant system has recently been improved by the addition of two new schemes and the improvement of existing schemes. The level of grant assistance available is considered very generous, especially in the disadvantaged areas where grants of up to 85 per cent of costs are payable. Last year, State and private planting combined reached a record level of over 11,000 hectares. An encouraging development in recent years has been the increasing part played by the private sector in the expansion of national planting. This year national planting is expected to exceed 13,000 hectares. I am confident that planting of this order will guarantee adequate timber supplies for the future.