Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received in 2011 and 2012 for grants and premiums to plant land with forestry; the number rejected; the broad reasons for these rejections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6991/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In 2011 a total of 1,603 applications were received for approval to plant land with forestry under the afforestation grant and premium schemes of which 151 were rejected. The corresponding figures for 2012 were 2,150 applications received and 118 rejected. The main reasons for rejection included unsuitable soil type, implications for water quality, adverse impact on the landscape, exposed nature of site, proximity to archaeological sites and various issues relating to the silvicultural suitability of the site proposed for planting.