Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the way in which she will remedy the shortfall in the afforestation programme which over the past 20 years saw an average of 15,000 hectares of new forests per year while in the past three years the average has dropped to 10,000 hectares a year, a 50 per cent drop; and her views on the need to remedy this shortfall in view of the demand for timber and wood fuel which SEI is promoting. [24625/06]

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps which she is taking to encourage the planting of forestry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23640/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to improve the area of forestry being planted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24582/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 149 and 369 together.

A comprehensive range of incentives and supports is available to encourage the planting of forests in Ireland. Under the current Forestry Grant and Premium Scheme, grants are available to cover 100% of planting costs, as well as a 20 year tax-free premium for farmers (15 years for non-farmers) of up to €500 per hectare, depending on the species planted. Substantial tax concessions are also in place for forest-owners. The Single Farm Payment Scheme enables farm-foresters to plant up to 50% of their eligible claimed areas with forestry, attracting immediate payment of forestry premiums, while still drawing down their full Single Farm Payment. Supports are also available for the growing forest in the form of grants for the shaping of broadleaves and pruning of conifers, and for the construction of forest roads.

In addition to these direct supports, funding is provided for research, advisory services and promotion. Free and independent advice on all forestry matters is available from Teagasc. This advice is provided with funding support from my Department.

Approximately 10% of Irish land is afforested compared to an EU average of 35%. Over 90% of all new planting is now undertaken by farmers, which is significantly changing the structure of forest-ownership in Ireland, with some 16,000 private plantations now established. As these forests mature, the timber output and other non-timber benefits of forestry will play an increasingly important role in securing the economic viability of the farm holding.

Forestry will continue to remain an important alternative through the changing times ahead as the CAP Reform measures begin to take hold. A new forestry programme, in consultation with the sector, for the period 2007-2013 is being drawn up at present. I am confident that a combination of innovative support schemes, and attractive grant and premia rates along with the opportunity to consolidate under the Single Farm Payment, will lead to higher levels of planting in the coming years.

Sustainable forestry is of major importance to securing the viability of rural Ireland and adding to the quality of life of all citizens. It represents a major option for effective land-use in Ireland.