Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 21 Nov 1990

Vol. 402 No. 9

Written Answers. - Forestry Grants Inspectorate.

Donal Carey

Ceist:

75 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Energy the number of inspectors employed by him to administer forestry grants on 1 November 1990; and the reason for the delay in implementing the transfer, promised in Dáil Éireann last year, relative to the overseeing of EC grant aid for private forest developments.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy):

The number of inspecting officers engaged in my Department to administer private forestry grants is two full-time officers and two part-time. In addition, Coillte Teoranta carries out agency work on my behalf and the number of inspecting officers employed by them on this work is two full-time and close on 70 part-time.

Negotiations with the Department of Finance and consultations with Coillte Teoranta are being pressed ahead in preparation for the forthcoming change in administration of the private forestry grant schemes. As I have pointed out to this House on a previous occasion, it is important, and in the best interests of private forestry, that the new arrangements are right both in regard to staffing and implementation procedures.