Vol. 562 No. 4
165 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the financial allocation for 2003 for the native woodland scheme and the neighbourhood scheme; the planned expenditure that can be expected over the next three years; and the way in which nurseries that have been set up for the introduction of these schemes will maintain plants that have been prepared for planting in 2003. [6229/03]
The financial allocation for the native woodland scheme and the neighbourhood scheme for 2003 is €870,000.
The financial allocation for these schemes over the next three years will be determined during the annual Estimates process for those years. It should be recognised, however, that expenditure on all programmes must respect the public expenditure ceiling set by the Government and must take account of the wider budgetary priorities.
It is accepted that, over the initial years of the native woodland scheme, the concentration will be on the conservation of existing woodlands rather than on planting new native woodlands. Consequently I am not aware of nurseries having been set up to produce plants for planting in 2003 to any significant level. Any such plants can be used in the afforestation programme or in any reforestation programme.
