I propose to take Questions Nos. 402 to 404, inclusive, together.
An examination of records held by the Department of Agriculture and Food indicates that 92,580 hectares, relating to 8,488 applicants, were approved for afforestation grant aid over the past five years. The Department's main recording system relates to planting rather than approvals, many of which are never activated by applicants. Some 65,049 hectares were planted during the past five years, involving 6,630 applicants. This figure represents approximately 40% of the area and the client base in receipt of annual forestry premiums. It amounts to approximately 9% of the entire national forest estate.
Information on the number of cases in which the application form states that the site is within an area recorded by the county or district development plans, or the inventory of outstanding landscape, is not readily available. It is not among the various data fields which are captured on the forestry service's computer system, which is primarily a payment system. The Department is developing a major new IT system, which will allow for more detailed reporting and will extend to the subject of this question.
All applications for grant aid received by the Department are thoroughly examined by the forestry service in respect of the suitability of the proposed afforestation sites. County development plans are taken into account, statutory designations and available landscape datasets. Applications are forwarded to an inspector with direct local knowledge of the area in question for his report. That ensures that the accuracy of all statements made in support of applications is assessed. Any application for planting within a prime scenic area listed in the county development plan or the inventory of outstanding landscapes is automatically submitted for full public consultation.
The forestry service retains professionals in the fields of archaeology, ecology and landscaping to whom applications are referred as required for comments and recommendations. Any application in respect of an area over 2.5 hectares is submitted for public information by way of notice in the local press, while all sites over 25 hectares are specifically referred to the relevant local authority for comment. The Department places great emphasis on the careful evaluation of the environmental implications of any afforestation proposal. Any application that might give rise to environmental concern is dealt with in the context of the extensive consultation process I have described. The redesign of the application form is being examined as part of the project I mentioned.