No change in forestry grant and premium levels

FORESTRY grant and premium levels remain unchanged,” said Minister of State John Browne this week in an angry Dáil response to what he called “wild allegations” from the forestry industry.

Through the Irish Forest Industry Chain, companies in the forestry sector have estimated that Government expenditure cutbacks announced in the Book of Estimates will cause 1,160 job losses and a €44 million loss of output in the rural economy.

Minister Brown said the average spend in the past five years has been €90 million.