Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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587. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated net of VAT payment to applicants for the environmental report grant per file, outlined in circular 13/2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46769/22]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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602. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated net VAT payment to applicants for the environmental report grant, per file, outlined in circular 13/2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47275/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 587 and 602 together.

In order to assist with the increased complexity of submitting of an afforestation licence application, an interim environment grant is being paid in 2022 if a report from an ecologist or archaeologist is submitted and on file.

The amount of grant aid is weighted towards the first few hectares. So, an additional €450/ hectare for the first hectare, €400 for the second hectare, €350 for the third hectare and €50/hectare from 4 hectares capped at 20 hectares is introduced. This grant is area based and not cost based. Therefore VAT on costs is not a consideration when paying the grant.

The average payment per file to date is €1,447.