John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide an additional allocation (details supplied) from within the agriculture budget in order to avoid the complete cessation of the National Afforestation Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34904/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I share the Deputy's views on the significance of the forestry sector from an economic development and a climate change perspective and, more specifically, the importance of the suite of forestry schemes administered by my Department.

Sufficient funds are available to finance the expected new planting in 2008 and the Afforestation Scheme is operating as usual. Demand for all the forestry schemes has been quite high this year, relative to the funds available, and this is particularly true of all the forestry support schemes. My Department is currently accepting and processing applications for these support schemes but, unfortunately, cannot commit funding to individual projects at this stage. The overall forestry situation will be reviewed when the funding position for 2009 is clarified.