Forestry:

In forestry, the Minister said that he was anxious to deliver on the Government's commitment to afforestation and to support a sector which contributes to job creation and to the maintenance of jobs in rural areas and which has a vital climate change role. Overall Expenditure for Forestry will be higher than the published figures and will amount to €111.76 million when the Estimate published today of €84.86m is boosted by a further €27m by way of carry-over of savings from 2011. This increased forestry funding of €112 million will allow afforestation to continue at roughly 7,000ha per annum as well as providing for the building of forest roads. There is no change in relation to the rate of payment of forestry premia, which continue at current levels.

Further Comments from Minister Coveney;

Priorities

a)     To protect farm incomes targeting existing resources at active farmers
b)     To support productivity and the up skilling of farmers and the food sector
c)     To  ensure the development of the agri-food sector incorporating investment in R+D, food safety, animal welfare and enterprise development in line with Food Harvest 2020*
d)     Reform and continued drive for efficiency and better service delivery within the Department and associated agencies

Funding for 2012

A total funding of €1,312m is being provided in the Department's Vote in 2012, €1,144m in current and €168m for capital expenditure. On the capital side, the Minister said that the 2012 capital allocation represents an increase of €18m on the National Recovery Plan expenditure ceiling and that this will be boosted by a further €27m by way of carry-over of savings from 2011 to provide total capital funding next year of €195m. This is a very substantial increase on the original NRP allocation of €150m and will allow a very worthwhile capital programme to be implemented next year.

The funding announced does not include the €1.3b in payments under EU funded schemes which are administered by the Department.

 Taken from the departmet of agriculture website.