merrion street

Shane McEntee TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for forestry, today announced the commencement of the Autumn planting season.

The Minister of State said "I am pleased to announce that my Department will issue financial approvals for 1,500 hectares of new forestry planting for the current Autumn planting season."

Planting grants in respect of over 5,100 hectares have been paid this year to date and these new approvals are in addition to that figure. The Minister of State continued "I am very aware of the importance of the Autumn grant approval in maintaining confidence in the forestry sector."

In making the announcement, the Minister of State noted that forestry represents an extremely valuable and sustainable resource and is an indigenous Irish industry supporting many thousands of jobs, many of those in rural areas. The forestry sector makes an overall economic contribution estimated at close to €1.65 billion annually, and makes a significant contribution to meeting national greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

Minister of State McEntee said that the ongoing rollout of financial approvals for the autumn planting season showed that the Government recognised the importance of forestry to the economy and reflected its commitment to supporting the development of the sector.