Vol. 541 No. 4
201 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the amount of land involved in an application for a forestation grant and first premium (details supplied); the classification of the land when the contract was approved and signed; the procedures in place in his Department to notify the landowner of the classifications; if and when the classification was changed; the reason for such changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22888/01]
The original application related to a total area of 22.7 hectares of which of 16.7 hectares was described as unenclosed land and six hectares was described as enclosed land. Unenclosed land attracts a lower rate of forestry premium. Following discussions between the applicant's professional forester and the forest service inspector it was agreed that unenclosed was the correct classification for all of the land. However, in the formal letter of approval issued by the forest service it was incorrectly stated that six hectares of the 22.7 hectares was enclosed, as described in the original application. The grant and premium claim was submitted by the applicant on the basis of the factual position, that is, all of the area was described as unenclosed, and was paid accordingly. It is a matter of regret that the formal letter of approval was inaccurate, no doubt this led to some confusion. There is no doubt, however, on the basis of discussions between the applicant's professional forester and the forest service inspector, and also from the claim submitted by the applicant subsequently, that the land was all classified as unenclosed.
202 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when payment of a grant will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [23213/01]
203 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when payment of a grant will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [23214/01]
I propose to take Questions
Nos. 202 and 203 together.
In March last year I announced significant increases, averaging 30%, in the rates of annual forest premium for those planting from 1 October 1999. The persons referred to in both cases planted between 1993 and 1999 and have been paid on that basis. However, the Government proposes to provide Exchequer funding for increases in all forestry premia for recipients who planted during the period 1993 to 1999, subject to the approval of the European Commission. The Commission's decision is expected shortly.
