Vol. 413 No. 5
110 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Energy the reason for the delay between carrying out an inspection, the issuing of an advisory report and approval to applicants who are anxious to plant trees under the forestry grant scheme organised by his Department.
My Department's target for issuing approvals to applicants where land has been inspected is in the region of four to six weeks from the date of the inspection. However, over the past number of months it has not been possible to achieve this target due to an increase in the level of planting this year and the consequent demand for grant payments. As the bulk of the grants have been paid, planting approvals are now issuing on a continuous basis for next year's planting season.
111 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Energy if he will give further details of his recent statement that there will be an increase in forestry grant schemes; the date these increased grants will become available; and those persons who may apply.
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the EC Commission's proposals of 11 July 1991 concerning the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. While these proposals provided for increases in the maximum level of EC assistance for forestry and changes in the scope of forestry measures, the proposals are still under consideration and no decision has yet been taken on the matter by the Council of Agriculture Ministers.
