Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

The commitment contained in the renewed programme for Government recognised that there had been considerable difficulty in recent years in maintaining a substantial afforestation programme. Planting levels peaked in 1995 at 23,710 hectares but declined significantly thereafter reaching a low of 6,249 hectares in 2008 owing to a number of factors I outlined earlier.

I recently announced approval for an additional 1,500 hectares of forestry planting for the autumn planting programme. There was a very strong response from applicants demonstrating the high level of interest among farmers and the appreciation of the many benefits associated with forestry.

The Deputy will be aware that all aspects of public expenditure are subject to more in-depth critical scrutiny than heretofore and forestry is no different in this regard. I am very much aware of the concern expressed by farming and industry sources about the adequacy of the capital allocation of €89 million for the forestry programme in the Capital Review - Infrastructure Investment Priorities 2010-2106, published during the summer. While this amount is indicative only it will, nevertheless, inform the Estimates process. I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to ensuring the continuation of the afforestation programme at a rate and in a format that maximises the use of scarce financial resources.

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