Vol. 571 No. 4
176 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the recent report of a person (details supplied) describing the Government decision to cut forestry funding by 27% during 2003; his plans for funding of this sector during 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22063/03]
The report referred to entitled, Forestry: A Growth Industry in Ireland, was commissioned by the Irish Farmers Association, the Irish Forest Industry Chain and the self-assessment forestry companies. The author made a presentation of his report to my Department and also I understand to the Department of Finance and Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The report makes a worth while contribution to the debate on forest policy in Ireland.
The funding allocation for forestry in 2004 will be decided in the context of the Estimates process which is currently under way. In the latter context, the House should be aware of the high historic and future cost of forestry, if existing policies are to be maintained. For example, €613 million, or an average of about €88 million per annum, has been spent on forestry since 1997 and, if existing policies were to continue, annual average costs, assuming respectively 10,000 and 20,000 hectares per annum, would be €100 million per annum and €130 million per annum over the next three years. By 2020 the annual costs of meeting the Sustaining Progress targets of 20,000 hectares per annum could be over €210 million per annum.
