Tree agencies hit by funding cuts

The Government's commitment to the environment has been questioned following a decision to cut funding to two environmental organisations, Crann and the Tree Council of Ireland.

Some 80 per cent of Crann's core funding has been cancelled, while funding for the Tree Council of Ireland has also been cut. Both organisations say they are determined to continue their work with community organisations on the environmental aspects of forestry.

Tree Council staff were informed of the cut just 48 hours after the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, initiated National Tree Week last month. The council organises the Tree Week's programme of events annually.

Crann has been strongly critical of a the move to pull funding from two environmental initiatives which were intended to help meet Kyoto Protocol targets - the Native Woodlands Scheme and the NeighbourWood scheme. The organisation says the cut in aid came when Crann was expanding its activities.

Staff cuts have already been made in the Crann head office in Banagher, Co Offaly. The organisation has asked how the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern, can justify the cuts, given that Crann is involved in so much environmental work to promote the aims of the Forest Service.

Founded in 1986, Crann has been instrumental in raising awareness of the value of native broadleaf trees and the preservation of the few remaining native woodlands.

It has been engaged in educational and community work, the Oak Glen scheme and Networks for Nature, which promotes awareness of hedgerows.

The Tree Council of Ireland depended on Government funding for three posts: director, urban forester and administrator. The urban forester's post was the only one of its kind and involved extensive co-operation with the Forest Service on community planting programmes.

A Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources spokesman said the Government had spent €540 million on forestry services between 1997 and 2002 and was allocating €82.5 million this year.

Given the scale of cutbacks, it was concentrating on its planning programme and was not in a position to fund support services like Crann and the Tree Council of Ireland.