Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 1992

Vol. 415 No. 1

Written Answers. - Forestry Planting Levels.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

78 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Energy his views on whether there has been a major reduction in the level of forestry planting by private owners in the current planting season; and, if so, the steps he proposes to take to reverse this trend.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

The current planting season did see a reduction in planned planting due to a perception in the private sector that Commission proposals for the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy would lead to higher grants for forestry in due course. I could not allow the uncertainty engendered by this perception to continue because of the adverse effect it was having on the planting programmes.

Accordingly I announced last Friday details of substantial increases in grants for forestry and the forest premium as follows; £2,000 per hectare for broad-leaves up from £1,200, £1,100 per hectare for conifers on enclosed land up from £900, £900 per hectare for conifers on unenclosed land up from £800.

These increases apply to all afforestation-approved grants since 1 October 1991 for farmers and others in the private sector.

In relation to the forest premium the following changes were made for farmers who afforest all or part of their land: the present off-farm income level for determining the amount of the premium will in future be based on the average industrial wage as published by the CSO, currently £13,900 per annum approximately instead of the present limit of £11,000 per annum; for farmers whose off-farm income limit is below this threshold and in respect of all land planted in excess of 8 hectares, the premium will increase from £86 to £100 per hectare per annum; and the introduction of an annual premium for farmers, including part-time farmers whose income exceeds the new income threshold at a flat rate of £50 per hectare for 15 years.

There will be no further increases in afforestation grants for the foreseeable future as I am confident that the measures I have announced will lead to a turnaround in private planting and that we will plant in excess of 24,000 ha. in 1992 and achieve an overall target of 30,000 ha. in 1993.