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Previous Forestry Programmes

Provision of Planting Related Grants under the National Development Programme (NDP)

Provision of Grants and premiums for forestry is supported by a number of programmes, all of them funded from the National Development Programme (NDP). These programmes are as follows:

• the Rural Development Plan, 2000-2006;
• the Southern and Eastern Regional Operational Programme, 2000-2006;
• the Border, Midlands and Western Regional Operational Programme, 2000-2006;
• the Employment and Human Resources Development Operational Programme, 2000-2006.

Rural development plan, 2000-2006

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) element of Ireland's Rural Development Plan, covering the period 2000-2006, was agreed in 2000. The plan relates to the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme, the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (REPS) and the Early Farm Retirement Scheme and Headage Schemes. The plan outlines,inter alia, the Department of Agriculture and Food proposals for grant-aiding the afforestation of agricultural land and the payment of loss-of-income based premiums to farmers for the duration of the plan. Funding for the forestry elements of the Rural Development Plan, both national and from the EU, totals €688,198,038.

Provision of grants under the forestry measure of the regional operational programmes, 2000-2006

The Regional Operational Programmes for the Border, Midlands and Western region and the Southern and Eastern region aim to provide the necessary support measures to achieve annual planting targets and to develop downstream industry to utilise the expected increase of 50% in timber production in the coming years. The programme is funded 71% by the State and 29% by the EU. The Forestry Measure consists of four sub-measures:

Forestry Development Sub-measure

This sub-measure will contribute to the development of forestry by encouraging participation in the forestry sector, supporting projects and associations of forest holders and aimed at the development of forestry as a sustainable and efficient enterprise. It will also contribute towards diversification of agricultural activities, improving the processing and marketing of forestry products, promoting new uses for forestry products and providing back-up support for the efficient implementation of the programme through the creation of a modern computer-based forest information system. The sub-measure provides grant-aid under the following categories: Forestry Promotion; Forestry GIS; Nurseries; Aid to Associations; Forestry Studies, and Projects and Initiatives. Promotion Grants are available for initiatives relating to the promotion of forestry and timber use generally.Support for Downstream ActivitiesFunding is provided for studies, pilot projects and initiatives relating to forestry development as well as to associations and groups engaged in forestry promotion. Projects were selected on the basis of their capacity to contribute to the development of the forestry sector in general. Examples of projects funded included wood promotion, alternative timber use, product development and marketing. Nurseries Assistance is provided to encourage investment in improved and innovative plant production techniques. Forest Inventory and Planning System (FIPS) This initiative involves the development of a GIS-based Forest Management System. This system will assist in strategic planning as well as the administration of the various forestry schemes currently in operation.

Employment And Human Resources Development Operational Programme, 2000-2006

This programme provides grant-aid for forestry training projects under the Sectoral Training - Forestry sub-measure. Forestry Training is provided in the areas of forest establishment, maintenance and harvesting.

• Forest Service Overview: Powerpoint
• Forest Service Policy on Biodiversity and Sustainable Forest Management: Word (doc 20Kb)
• The Forest Service and Sustainable Forest Management - An Overview: Word (doc 20Kb)
• Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme: PDF (pdf 3,249Kb)