Vol. 402 No. 5
107 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Energy if he will review the conditions regarding income for the previous three tax years, before afforestation takes place, in respect of applications for new forestry grants as announced recently by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the condition relating to the off-farm income in the forest premium for farmers scheme which I launched last February. Under this scheme, which was drawn up under Council Regulation (EEC) No. 1609/89, a farmer who afforests agricultural land thus changing its use from farming to forestry will be eligible for a premium. Ireland was the first country to introduce such a scheme under this regulation and when drawing up the terms of the scheme I gave careful consideration to the term "farmer" in order not to be too restrictive in its definition. I decided to include not only farmers who are engaged full time in farming but also those who may have an off-farm income. After careful deliberation regarding this matter I decided that a farmer whose off-farm income, combined with that of an applicant's spouse, did not exceed £11,000 in any of the three income tax years prior to afforestation could be considered for a premium. I regard this off-farm income level to be generous and accordingly I have no plans to increase it.
108 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Energy if he will remove the income limit in respect of the recently announced afforestation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am pleased to inform Deputy Hogan that no income limit applies to applicants under the six schemes promoting forestry which I launched last August under the Operational Forestry Programme 1989-1993. However, under the forest premium for farmers scheme which I launched last February an off-farm income limit does apply. As I have pointed out to the Deputy in reply to a separate question asked by him I regard this off-farm income limit to be generous and I have no plans to remove it.
