Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the value of the forestry sector to the economy here. [34103/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The forestry sector provides a high value input to the national economy and makes a significant contribution to the economic well being of rural communities. The forestry sector contributes €698 million annually to the economy. While it is difficult to provide economic values for the non-timber benefits of Irish forests, the 2004 Bacon review estimated an annual value in the region of €88.4 million for the recreation, carbon-storage and biodiversity benefits.

More than 14,000 private plantations have been established, the vast majority of these by farmers. In 2004, a total of €54.1 million in forestry premiums was paid out to forest owners. In addition to forest owners, it is estimated that total employment generated by the sector amounts to just over 16,000.