Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 2003

Vol. 560 No. 1

Written Answers. - Afforestation Programme.

Dan Neville

Question:

545 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the fact that the Estimate cuts of ?24 million in the forestry budget will mean a total loss to the rural community in excess of ?44 million and a total loss of 1,160 rural jobs, a large number of which will be part-time farmers. [1131/03]

Denis Naughten

Question:

553 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will review the 2003 budget for the forestry sector in view of the fact that any cuts in 2003 will have major repercussions in the years to come; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1501/03]

Denis Naughten

Question:

554 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 1,100 jobs are under threat due to the cut in the 2003 budget; if he will review this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1502/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 545, 553 and 554 together.

I understand the details referred to by the Deputies are taken from a report prepared by the Centre for Applied Policy Studies of the National University of Ireland, Cork, which was commissioned for the Irish Forestry Industry Chain. I understand the report is currently being finalised by the author. The conclusions of the final report will be studied by my Department on receipt.

As the Deputies are aware the Government recently made very difficult choices in the area of the public finances. In making these decisions, the Government was not in a position to make as much money available for all programmes as we would all wish to see across the whole range of public expenditure.

Consequently, the funding available for forestry for the year 2003 will be less than what would have been expected. This does not take from the strong commitment on the part of the Government, as articulated in repeated programmes for Government, to afforestation policy in Ireland. The Government remains fully convinced of the long-term value of the forestry programme in terms of regional development, strong and sustainable local employment, import substitution and the environment.

Over past weeks the Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, Deputy Browne, has undertaken extensive consultation with representatives of the various groups right across the sector. The decision has been taken to focus resources primarily in 2003 on maintenance of a viable planting programme. The Minister of State is committed to working closely with the sector over the coming months so as to maintain confidence in the sector having regard to the contribution of forestry to the economy in general and more particularly in terms of rural developments and sustainable local employment.