Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will clarify the imposition of the income levy on forestry premiums and on the recent cuts to those premiums; if these cuts and levies are being reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20806/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The forestry premium payment, as with all income, is subject to the income levy but this is a general across-the-board levy which is not specific to forestry.

The forestry premiums due for 2009 that were recently paid by my Department included an 8% reduction. This decision to reduce the forestry premiums must be seen in the context of unprecedented pressure on the public finances and the necessity to take difficult decisions in order to make maximum use of the available limited resources.

The premium reduction and the income levy are not being reconsidered at present.