Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 6

Written Answers. - Operational Programme for Forestry.

Willie Penrose

Question:

106 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry in view of the significant emphasis placed on the forestry sector to create employment in the natural resource area and in view of the capital OSB joint venture with Coillte Teoranta in particular, if his attention has been drawn to the necessity of having the harvesting infrastructure in place to service the proposed expansion with timber; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that this cannot take place until the forestry operation programme is introduced; and if he will give a specific date by which this programme will be introduced.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

The Community Support Framework 1994-99 dealing with the national plan and the various operational programmes, including the operational programme for agriculture, rural development and forestry, is currently under negotiation with the Commission. It is my intention that this programme should again include a grant scheme for mechanised harvesting equipment, in view of the need to further improve and expand the timber harvesting infrastructure of this country. In the meantime, my Department is continuing to implement the existing grant scheme for harvesting equipment and is open to applications.