Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 1996

Vol. 463 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Administration Fees.

Noel Treacy

Ceist:

351 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of people who have paid administration fees to his Department in relation to private afforestation grants; if he will refund these fees in view of recent European Union decisions; the total amount of fees collected to date; the number of applicants who has paid them; the action, if any, he proposes to take; the date on which refunds will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6094/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

Up to 31 December 1995, after which date the administration charges payable in respect of forestry development grants no longer applied, 4,500 persons had paid charges in relation to private afforestation grants. Under all grant schemes in the forestry sector to which these charges applied, 8,500 applications paid charges resulting in a total of £4.5 million collected by my Department.

As I indicated to the House on 23 January, 1996 the removal of this charge, with effect from 31 December 1995, was carried out in order to promote the development of the forestry sector, particularly with regard to farmers, by reducing input costs.