Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that there is a significant difference between the rate of grant paid to farmers and non-farmers for afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12231/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The higher rate of premium payable to farmers under the afforestation schemes is to compensate farmers for the loss of farm income arising from the conversion of the land from agricultural production to forestry. Landowners who are not engaged in farming do not incur such loss and are paid at a reduced rate of premium.