Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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181. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of forestry premiums paid on forestry in County Leitrim under the categories of premiums paid to farmers and landowners that live in County Leitrim and premiums paid to others that do not live in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3209/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Forestry Scheme is voluntary for all landowners and it’s a matter for them as to whether they wish to avail of the grants and premiums available. The current Forestry Programme does not differentiate between a “farmer” and “non-farmer” but targets funding at all landowners who wish to convert lands to forestry.  It isimportant to note that the non-farmer category also includes recently retired farmers and the family members of existing farmers who may also be living locally. 

In 2018, my Department paid  a total of €2.7 million in forestry annual premiums for forests planted in Co. Leitrim. The breakdown of those payments to forest owners, by category, is shown in the table below and demonstrates that nearly 80% of payments went to farmers.