Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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435. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is an EU directive or mechanism that would prevent him from limiting afforestation grants payable to farmers living within a 50 km radius of their forest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31095/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Forestry Programme 2014-2020 in Ireland is 100% State funded and governed by the European Union Guidelines for State Aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors. The Forestry Programme 2014-2020 does not foresee a distinction between farmers or non-farmers with the same level of grants and premiums payable to all applicants.  

There are no EU or National provisions to restrict the payment of forestry grants or premiums to landowners living within a specific distance from a proposed forest and I have no intention to introduce such provisions. Such a restriction could impact on landowners who may be retired farmers or the sons or daughters of retired farmers who inherited land but have careers outside of farming.  

The afforestation scheme managed by the Department offers the same terms and conditions to landowners, both farmers and non-farmers.Farmers are, however, at an advantage as they may also qualify for Basic Payment and Forestry Premiums on the same land whereas non-farmers cannot.