More than 4,000 forest owners who applied for their annual premium payments by paper application have received grants amounting to €15.4 million this week.

The payments follow on from more than 6,000 payments made in January to forest owners who applied for the grant online. The awards give a total contribution in forest premiums of more than €70 million.

Galway East TD and Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development Seán Canney said: “I very much welcome these payments.

“Some 4,248 forest owners received money into their bank accounts this week.

“Forest owners are an essential part of our agricultural and climate strategy and it is absolutely correct that they should be supported in this way. It is also very important that we help our farmers by encouraging diversification.”

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine Andrew Doyle TD said over 88% of the payments went directly to farmers with an average of €3,500 per farmer.

Premiums were guaranteed for 15 years and covered all establishment costs, while complementing existing livestock enterprises.

Forest owners may still apply for the payment online through the IFORIS portal on the Department’s Online Services website www.agfood.ie .

Minister Doyle has announced a reconstitution scheme for forest owners whose plantations were severely affected by the drought of 2018.

Further information on supports available to forest owners can be found at www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/grantsandpremiumschemes2014-2000/ .

For more information, contact Minister Canney on 086-2513639
April 29 2019