asked the Minister for Energy if any grant schemes were operated by this Department for forestry during 1988; the closing dates; and the total payments made in the first quarter of 1989.
Written Answers. - Forestry Grant Schemes.
39.
The following forestry grant schemes were operated by my Department during 1988:
1. Forestry development scheme for disadvantaged areas: (western package).
2. Forestry development scheme for agricultural holdings (farmers scheme).
3. Grants for private forestry (State) scheme.
4. Compensatory allowances (headage payments) for forestry. The western package scheme is scheduled to end in April 1991, the farmers' scheme in December 1994 and there is no expiry date for the State scheme. The closing date for receipt of applications under the 1988 forestry compensatory allowance scheme was 31 December 1988. This is, however, an annual scheme and eligible farmers may apply in 1989.
The total payments made under the schemes in the first quarter of 1989 was £205,616. Of this amount £200,613 was paid by my Department and £5,003 by the Department of Agriculture and Food in respect of the compensatory allowances.