Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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85. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the new New Forestry Programme, if the level of grant aid for planting forestry will be maintained at 100% that it is at present; the amount of premium paid will be maintained at the same level as present for farmers who plant their land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38970/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The public consultation process for the new forestry programme ended yesterday and officials at my Department are currently examining submissions received. It is not possible at this stage to say what the precise level of forestry grants and premiums will be for the period 2015 – 2020. Our intention is to finalise the details of the new forestry programme over the coming weeks and make the final document available to stakeholders and the public in general as soon as possible thereafter. I can say however that in relation to forestry grants, my intention is to continue with the policy of funding up to 100% of eligible costs of establishing and maintaining new forests. In relation to premiums, EU State aid rules only allow for 12 annual premiums and through de minimismy Department has been able to increase this to 15.