Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 22 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 8

Written Answers. - Forestry Development Funds.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

63 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Energy if he will outline the way he proposes to disburse the £10 million referred to in the EC programme for rural development in respect of forestry development; the period for which this £10 million becomes available; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many rural roads are now in an appalling condition due to extraction of timber from State forests; if such money can be used to subvent county councils for repairing such roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

The forestry part of the rural development operational programme involves investments of some £10 million in the following EC approved initiatives: planned recreational forestry; co-operative farm forestry; demonstration farm forests; farm forestry consultations/planning; forest nurseries; and forestry training programmes. The programme covers the period 1991 to 1993.

The forestry funds under subprogramme 1 of the rural development operational programme have been earmarked for the above initiatives in agreement with the EC and cannot be used to subvent county councils for repairing rural roads.

My attention has been drawn to the condition of rural roads. However, this is a matter for the local authorities and the Department of the Environment and £7.8 million has been provided for expenditure on rural roads, including roads serving forests, under subprogramme 3 of the rural development operational programme.