Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 27 Oct 1993

Vol. 435 No. 1

Written Answers. - Expenditure on Forestry and Timber Processing.

Liz O'Donnell

Ceist:

29 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he will give details of proposed expenditure on the public and private forestry and timber processing sectors as provided for in the National Development Plan 1994-1999, including the job targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

The National Plan provides for total expenditure of £116 million on forestry with a public contribution of £99 million. In addition I have submitted to the EC an afforestation programme under the accompanying measures to the reform of CAP providing for public expenditure of some £225 million.

Initiatives to develop the potential of downstream employment in the saw-milling, board, pulp and furniture sectors to utilise increasing supplies of raw material generated from forestry expenditure detailed above, will be embraced in the industry programme to be operated under the aegis of the Minister for Enterprise and Employment.

Over the period of the plan it is anticipated that some 1,600 full time job equivalents will be created.