Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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1174. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares of afforested land in County Leitrim; the percentage of this land that is agricultural; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1026/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Forestry is one of the many land use options available to farmers and land owners and the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme is one of a wide range of supports provided by my Department.  In 2016, 433 hectares of new forestry was planted in Leitrim all of which was private planting, largely by farmers living in Co. Leitrim. 

According to Ireland’s National Forest Inventory 2012, 26,500ha of land was under forestry in Leitrim, this represents approx 17% of the total land area.  It should be noted that of that, 27% is planted with broadleaf species.  This land is, by its nature, agricultural.