Vol. 574 No. 1
319 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the Forest Service provides a distribution facility for all IFA newsletters to all people in receipt of forestry premia; the cost of labelling and posting service covered; and if the same facility is provided to other non-State organisations. [26350/03]
Under the forestry development measure of the regional operation programmes the service gives support to both State and non-State organisations to encourage and promote participation in the forestry sector. The service, inter alia, gives support to the IFA to promote farm forestry. As part of this programme the IFA produces a regular information brochure aimed at the farming community.
The Forest Service has a database of all recipients of planting premia. Under the Data Protection Act it is precluded from releasing this information to outside bodies. Under these circumstances it was agreed that as part of the support programme for the IFA that the newsletter would be distributed periodically by the Forest Service. Occasionally this facility has been given to other organisations. The cost of labelling and posting the newsletter is estimated at €9,000.
