Over €32 million of forestry premiums will be made this week, announced Mr Hugh Byrne, Minister of State at the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, this afternoon.
The payments reflect the 30 per cent average increases under are the CAP afforestation programme.
Afforestation forms one of the cornerstones of the Rural Development Plan, co-funded by the European Union and the Exchequer.
Mr Byrne reiterated the Government’s commitment to the continued development of the forestry sector, saying that "prompt payment of the significant levels of premium now available for afforestation should encourage farmers and others to consider forestry as a long term viable land use."