The contract specified was approved under the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme with two grant payments and annual premiums to be paid across the lifetime of the contract, subject to compliance with scheme Terms and Conditions.
The first instalment grant application has been received by my Department, but payment could not be made so far because several shortcomings on the plantation were identified during a routine inspection by the relevant District Inspector. These shortcomings have been communicated to the person named as part of a remedial works request letter. The District Inspector as well as my Department’s Engineering staff are currently in the process of assessing the additional information received from the person named following issuing of this request and a decision will be communicated as soon as this assessment is complete.