Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide targeted assistance to those who received the woodland enhancement grant for pre-1993 plantations in order to bring these plantations in line with current forest practices; if he will create greater biodiversity to improve plant health and the quality of timber produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25553/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Provision was made in the forestry programme of the National Development Plan for the introduction of a scheme to improve the nature quality and biodiversity of older established woodlands. However, demand for all the forestry schemes is quite high this year, relative to the funds available. The Department is now in the process of prioritising expenditure within the Forestry budget as a whole.