Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2018
394. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated additional cost to the Exchequer based on 2017 participation and planting rates to implement a proposal (details supplied) over a full year. [20051/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current forestry programme does not differentiate between a “farmer” and “non-farmer” but targets funding at all landowners who wish to convert lands to forestry. It's important to note that the non-farmer category also includes recently retired farmers and the family members of existing farmers. I have no plans to change the current situation and will continue to pay the same premium under the current programme to all landowners to ensure that the maximum amount of land is available for afforestation.
In relation to the Deputy’s proposal to re-introduce the farmer premium differential and using his example to increase the premium for GPC3 from the premium rate of €510 in 2017 to €850/ha for farmers, the additional estimated expenditure for GPC3 would be approximately €843,200 per year.
