Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
524. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount and percentage of forestry payments received in 2018 by farmers and non-farmers, respectively, under the Forestry Programme 2014-2020. [6290/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current Forestry Programme (2014-2020) commenced in 2015 and offers an ambitious and attractive set of forestry measures aimed at increasing timber production and continuing to provide up to 12,000 jobs in the forestry sector while at the same time improving the quality of the natural environment. The afforestation scheme offers a fixed grant towards the costs, subject to the maximum laid down in the scheme’s terms and conditions. In addition, annual premiums are payable to new forests which qualify for an afforestation grant for a maximum period of 15 years.
There is no distinction between the rate paid to farmers and non-farmers under the 2014-2020 Forestry Programme as the aim is to make the afforestation scheme accessible to all landowners. It should be noted that the category of non-farmer below includes those with an association with farming and includes retired farmers, sons and daughters of farmers or other relatives who have inherited land and wish to retain their connection with the land. For this reason, I am satisfied that the bulk of payments are paid to and remain in rural Ireland.
The table below shows the breakdown by farmer/non-farmer of the payments in 2018.
Annual premiums paid 2018
|
Farmer |
Non-Farmer |
|
|
Payments made (€000) |
€12,872 |
€10,417 |
|
% payment |
55% |
45% |
It is worth noting that farmers have established 66% of forestry planted to date under the Forestry Programme 2014 - 2020.
