Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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425. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payment to a person (details supplied) was stopped after 15 years; and if a forestry payment can continue for 20 years. [8224/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The person named inherited a grant-aided plantation from a relative in 2006. The original applicant, who planted the land in 2003, had qualified as a farmer for the purposes of the afforestation scheme in place at the time. The scheme conditions also specified that when the person named inherited the lands, he was required to prove that he qualified to retain the farmer rate of payment in his own right. Unfortunately, as that person was not farming, he was unable to do so and consequently, could only continue in the scheme at the non-farmer rate of premium. That rate was lower than the farmer rate and the term of the scheme itself was also shorter, at 15 rather than 20 years.

The situation was confirmed in writing to the person named in 2007, when the transfer of the forestry contract into his name was completed. I note that the case was reviewed by my Department on a number of occasions at the request of the person named or others on his behalf. The Department was satisfied that the correct rate and term had been applied in accordance with the scheme conditions applicable to this forestry contract.

The fifteenth and final annual premium was paid in 2017 and no further payments are due.