James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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170. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding accommodating a person (details supplied) in County Longford with the higher rate of forestry grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49747/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There are two rates of premium payable: a higher rate that applies to farmers and a lower rate to non-farmers. The conditions for receipt of the higher rate of premium are set out in the Afforestation Scheme document which is available from the Departments website . The Department will make the decision on the appropriate rate of grant applicable after planting has been completed.

The application by the person named for technical approval under the Afforestation Scheme was approved on 29 April 2013. The next step is that the person named must apply for financial approval to plant, application for which can be arranged through his registered forester, and, if received, complete the planting. His eligibility for the farmer rate of premium will then be determined, should he decide to pursue his application.