Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:72 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if 20,000 hectares of forestry will be planted in the coming year as committed to under the PPF agreement by the Government. [16019/03]
Written Answers. - Afforestation Programme.
Simon Coveney
Ceist:92 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the Government will be making the funding available to ensure that 20,000 hectares of forestry are planted in the next year as has been committed to in the recent PPF agreement by the Government. [16020/03]
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:118 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will be meeting the commitment made in the PPF to plant 20,000 hectares of forestry in the next year. [16018/03]
John Deasy
Ceist:120 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if funding will be provided to ensure that 20,000 hectares of forestry are planted in the coming year as committed to under the PPF by the Government. [16017/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 92, 118 and 120 together.
The programme for Government contains a commitment to work to increase forest planting levels to 20,000 hectares annually. Under the terms of the new partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, the Government has confirmed its commitment to the development of the forestry sector in a manner that maximises its contribution to national economic and social well-being on a sustainable basis. The partnership agreement contains a commitment to promote and support increased planting levels up to 20,000 hectares per annum. The agreement acknowledges that this commitment is subject to available budgetary resources.
The 2004 allocation for forestry will be determined through the annual Estimates process and will be made known later this year. The Deputies will be aware that the Government is facing very difficult choices in the areas of public finances and may not be in a position to make as much money available for all programmes as it would wish.
I am very conscious of the serious concerns among forestry stakeholders in relation to the current budgetary position. In this regard, there have been extensive consultations with the sector following which the primary focus of funding for this year has been targeted towards a viable planting programme. As a result of these consultations, planting levels in 2003 are expected to reach 12,000 hectares.
I reassure the Deputy that the Government is strongly committed to the development of the forestry sector. This commitment is underlined by the provisions of the new partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, which clearly demonstrate that the Government recognises the important role which forestry plays and will continue to play in the development of rural and local economies. As part of these commitments I have directed that a fundamental review of the strategic policy for forestry, Growing for the Future, which was published in 1996, be undertaken this year. This review will reflect the significant changes in the sector and society as a whole since 1996 and will involve wide stakeholder consultation.
The review of the national climate change strategy and the mid-term reviews of the CAP rural development plan and various operational programmes of the national development plan which are currently under way will also inform the review of the forestry strategy.