Vol. 489 No. 3
69 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the amounts, purposes and recipients of grant aid related to forestry under the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry 1994 to 1999. [7823/98]
The Forest Service of my Department has, since the inception of the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry 1994-1999, made payments totalling £41.590 million up to 31 December 1997.
The purpose of the payments relate to increasing the capability of the forestry based industry sector in Ireland to develop new overseas markets and increase competitiveness, reduce dependence on timber imports, to diversify the rural economy, stimulate rural development and provide additional employment in both the afforestation and the industry sector.
The recipients of grants under the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry range from farmers to corporate investors in the afforestation area, to individuals and companies involved with the development of the forest sector in Ireland.
