Vol. 416 No. 3
76 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline, (a) the number of farmers in County Meath who have availed of forestry grants over the past three years, (b) the type of grants available to farmers who wish to plant trees in the less severely handicapped areas and in the fully disadvantaged areas and (c) the finance available to farmers who wish to sell their land; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
(a) Between the years 1989 and 1991 nine farmers in County Meath availed of forestry grants in respect of 25.43 hectares of land.
(b) Under the EC assisted forestry operational programme grants are available for the afforestation of land in all areas of the State. Eligible farmers are paid 85 per cent of approved costs of establishing a plantation subject to the following limits: £900 per hectare for conifer planting on land which was previously unenclosed for agricultural purposes; £1,100 per hectare for conifer planting on land which was previously enclosed and improved for agricultural purposes and £2,000 per hectare for broadleaves.
Grants are also available throughout the country for the reforestation of land and are payable at a flat rate of £500 per hectare for conifers plus an additional £300 per hectare for planting broadleaves, paid proportionate to the amount of broadleaves planted. These grants are funded by the Exchequer.
With regard to the Deputy's question at (c) above, I would point out that my Department are no longer involved in the purchase of land for afforestation purposes.
