Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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864. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to any semi-state body connected with forestry that is putting together a special vehicle to draw down funding from the premium system on forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51514/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Under their new forestry strategic vision, Coillte have stated their aim to grow 100,000 hectares of new forests by 2050, supporting the delivery of one-third of Ireland’s afforestation target and providing a carbon sink of 18 million tonnes of CO2. This is essential if Ireland is to meet its forestry targets.

Part of this strategy will be achieved through Coillte's collaboration with third parties in projects. Coillte will not be in direct receipt of any premiums as a result of their participation in these projects. Where the land is in private ownership, it is eligible for premiums.