Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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948. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter regarding a forestry payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46697/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The forest owner in question has been assigned forest premiums at the non-farmer rate (15 years).  The applicant planted his lands in 2012 but has not provided valid proof of farming activity in accordance with the particular scheme rules. 

Under the Afforestation Scheme rules applying at the time that the applicant entered the Scheme, he would be assigned forest premiums at the farmer rate (20 years) if he could prove farming activity for either the year of completion (2012) or one of the previous three years. It must be noted that an active Department ID (Equine No) assigned following the year of completion was not acceptable under the Scheme rules.  

If, over the term of the contract (15 years ), the applicant can submit farmer proof in accordance with the Scheme rules the issue of the premium status assigned can be revisited and the applicant has previously been informed of this.