Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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167. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of lands in counties Cavan and Monaghan in a programme (details supplied); the way in which this is monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37907/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The percentage of total forest cover in Cavan stands at 8.7%. This equates to 16,830 hectares, not all of which was planted under State planting programmes. Since 2000, the Government has grant-aided the afforestation of 4,887 hectares of forestry in Cavan.

In Monaghan the forest cover percentage is 4.3% or 5,600 hectares. Since 2000, 1,216 hectares in Monaghan have been afforested under the State forestry programmes.

All afforestation and new forest road projects (whether grant-aided or not) are required to have the written approval of my Department.  All applications received are assessed to ensure that there are no adverse impacts on the environment.  The harvesting and replanting of trees takes place under licence.  My Department has a suite of environmental guidelines and a Code of Best Forest Practice which sets out safeguards and principles to facilitate sustainable forest management.