As advised to the Deputy in my reply on 31 March 2011, in relation to the immature forests sold to forestry investment funds to date, the sale agreements confer rights on the purchaser to harvest timber at maturity while Coillte retains ownership of the land. In order to preserve the forest estate, apart from exceptional circumstances, my Department's policy is that replanting should take place on all areas harvested.
It is important to note that there is currently no grant assistance available for either the private sector or State bodies such as Coillte for the replanting of forests following the commercial felling of trees.