Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

415. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the latest afforestation figures; the amount of funding which has been made available on an annual basis for afforestation since 2012 in view of the fact that planting rates have remained low; the position regarding the funding shortfall year on year; the annual shortfall for 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40370/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As of 22 September 2017, my Department has paid grants for the planting of 4,071 ha of forestry under the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme 2014–2020.  Furthermore, to the end of August 2017, the Department has processed applications for planting approval for a total of 7,600ha of forests, an increase of 4% over the same period last year.

The amount of funding which has been made available on an annual basis for afforestation from 2012 to 2017 is detailed in the table below.  In each particular year this funding covers new afforestation for that year and also the payment of premiums and the second instalment of establishment grants for afforestation in previous years.

The Government has provided sufficient funding in each of these years to pay for all the planting in each year and to cover all premium and grant liabilities from previous years; there has been no funding shortfall.

Funding available for afforestation 2012-2017 (€m)