merrion street

Minister of State Shane McEntee today announced the payment of the 2011 annual forestry premiums.  This will involve the payment of €56.2 million to just over 11,500 forest owners.

Under the Forestry Programme, forestry premiums are payable each year for twenty years in the case of farmers and for fifteen years in the case of non-farmers.  There is usually a main forestry premium payment run at which time most forest owners, to whom a premium payment is due, are paid.  Minister of State McEntee, recently assigned the forestry portfolio, commented that...

Forestry provides a welcome income stream for owners, the majority of whom are farmers.  In addition to the amount received each year in premiums, forest owners can look forward to returns from thinnings and the clear-fell of their forestry plantation.

Forestry, as an indigenous industry, also provides a wider ranging, long term economic return in that it provides jobs, both directly and indirectly, and contributes to our export performance.  It also provides benefits to the environment and recreation and amenity value to society in general.