Vol. 478 No. 2
25 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number and the location of urban afforestation projects and urban horticultural projects; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns that the land on which such projects are situated may be used for development; the proposals, if any, he has for the further promotion of urban afforestation and horticultural projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10750/97]
My Department operates a scheme of grant aid for investments in commercial horticulture under the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry, 1994-99 (OPARDF). This scheme is primarily aimed at those in rural areas. While the number and location of urban projects are not readily available in practice few if any projects in urban areas have been grant aided. In any event since the assistance is mainly directed towards the purchase of specialised equipment for the horticulture sector this equipment would remain within the sector even if a grant aided project ceased.
My Department also operates a scheme of grant aid for investments by local authorities in urban woodlands under the OPARDF. This scheme encompasses urban afforestation projects and succeeded a pilot urban woodland promotion of two projects in counties Limerick and Wexford.
To date 18 applications for grant assistance have been received under the Urban Woodland Scheme relating to counties Cork (8), Dublin (3), Louth (2), Kilkenny (1), Waterford (1), Westmeath (1), Wexford (1) and Wicklow (1). These have been examined by my Department and subject to receipt of additional information it is expected that a number of these can be approved shortly.
I am not aware of any particular concern about land development referred to by the Deputy.
My Department has already been in touch with all local authorities and many of them have shown great interest in the scheme. In addition my Department has supported the employment of an urban liaison officer, attached to the Tree Council of Ireland, whose function is specifically geared towards the promotion of urban planting and management.
