Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013
894. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of a forestry premium-headage payment will be made to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath where all maintenance work has been carried out and verified to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46164/13]
View answerThe applicant’s plantation is not of the standard required under the afforestation scheme. Therefore, the second instalment of the afforestation grant cannot be paid until the standard has been achieved. A letter was issued to the applicant on 7th June 2011indicating the remedial works to be undertaken and the works were reported as completed. However, on inspection, it was found that the works were not completed and a second remedial works letter issued to the applicant on 23rd October 2013. This letter specified that the works must be satisfactorily completed within one month.
It is Forest Service policy that, where a plantation does not achieve the required standard, annual forestry premiums will be not be paid beyond the sixth premium until the plantation is at the required standard. This owner’s applications for his 2012 (7th) and 2013 (8th) premiums are on file and both can be paid once the second instalment of the grant has been approved and paid. Payment in respect of the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 24 September 2013.
