I propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 415 together.
The expenditure under the Forestry Budget for the month of May this year and last year is shown in the table below:
Month
|
May 2021
|
May 2022
|
Month
|
May 2021
|
May 2022
|
Expenditure
|
€3,692,524
|
€4,315,725
|
The spending in May this year exceeds last year and is in line with projected spending at this stage of the year. The expenditure for May 22 of €4,315,725 is only slightly under the profiled amount of €4,695,800. The remainder of the forestry budget has been apportioned to meet anticipated budgetary needs during the year. The budget allocation provides for new planting, the servicing of existing afforestation contracts and payments in relation to forestry support schemes. The Deputy will be aware that the afforestation scheme is demand-led. My Department will continue to closely monitor expenditure versus anticipated spend throughout 2022.