2015

Visit to Coillte Avondale of Minister Simon Coveney to explore potential for development

Andrew 2015, Agriculture, Jobs Enterprise Innovation, Tourism, Wicklow - East Carlow

1F036323 21-10-2015Avondale -21-10-2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avondale another untapped Wicklow asset

Fine Gael TD, for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle has welcomed the visit of Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney to Avondale, the ancestral home of Charles Stuart Parnell and the origin of our national forest estate

In welcoming the Minister, Doyle said that the future development of Avondale House and grounds is an issue that needs attention as there is huge potential to develop this as a tourist and recreation hub for the area.

“Avondale House and Forest Park has such historic significance as the birthplace of Parnell and is set among a forest park of over 500 acres with a network of tree trails and walks. Its attractions include picnic area, café, bookshop, children’s play area, orienteering courses not to mention the ability to visit and tour the beautiful Georgian house which dates back to the 1770’s.

“The estate was bought by the State in 1904 and this was the beginning of the state forestry programme. It is synonymous with the birth of irish forestry with many of the pioneering foresters in Ireland being trained at the school which was set up in 1904. Like all Coillte forests, Avondale is managed under the principles of sustainable forest management which ensures economic, social and environmental sustainability in the day to day management of forests. Avondale is being managed essentially for recreation along with a defined harvest timber plan and it represents a place of great research and historical interest in the history of irish forestry.

“Located adjacent to Rathdrum and close to Clara Vale and Glendalough, the area boasts some of the most scenic parts of county Wicklow, all nestled among beautiful forested areas. Avondale is one of Wicklow’s Coillte Outdoors sites. As the recreation arm of Coillte, the Coillte Outdoors brand was created in 2007 to develop and promote outdoor recreation facilities for the public and is now recognised as Ireland’s leading outdoor recreation provider.

“The estate and its vicinity has struggled somewhat to maintain a vibrant local economy, especially since the economic crash, when a development plan was shelved.

“With up to 80,000 visitors annually, Avondale could become one of Wicklow’s top tourist & recreation destinations. Combining its unique forest offering with its outdoor attractions, I believe it has a unique offering and is located in a beautiful part of the county. I am appreciative of the Minister taking the time to visit this historic estate and I am confident that a development plan for Avondale; aimed at complementing its current offering and elevating its status as a recreation hub, can soon be devised.”

€24.5million in advance payments for farmers in Wicklow and Carlow

Andrew 2015, Agriculture, Wicklow - East Carlow

farmer_280x197_proFine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow, Andrew Doyle has confirmed the beginning of advance payments to farmers. A total of will be available for farmers in counties Wicklow & Carlow.

“€24.5million has begun issuing to farmers in Wicklow & Carlow this week. The Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney, was very aware of the need to maximise cash flow and so has ensured these payments started issuing as soon as possible.

“Payments to farmers under the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) Scheme also continue to issue and the initial advance of the BPS and Greening Payment, together with ANC payments, means approximately €775 million will have issued to Irish farmers under these Schemes in the last month alone.

“Budget 2016 has introduced a series of agri-taxation measures including the extension of the general stock relief, stock relief for young farmers and stamp duty exemptions for young trained farmers up to the end of 2018. There will be a tax credit of €5,000 per annum for five years for farmers who transfer their land to successors over a period of time, making it easier for farms to be passed from one generation to the next. These measures make farming more attractive to younger people and to families.

“Farmers in Wicklow & Carlow will now be able to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit of €550. It will also apply to a spouse where a couple both work on the farm. This will begin the process of tax equalisation for the self-employed and PAYE workers, including farmers.

“Minister Coveney has also launched the second tranche of GLAS, the new agri-environmental scheme which replaces REPS and AEOS.

“The first tranche of GLAS, which closed on 26th May this year, proved a huge success, attracting almost 27,000 applications. The second tranche will increase this to at least 35,000 and up to 40,000. The overall target for GLAS is to attract 50,000 farmers into the new scheme over its lifetime and Minister Coveney commented that it was clear that GLAS was well on its way to meeting that target.

“Fine Gael is standing up for rural Ireland and last week’s budget contains an extra €109 million investment agriculture and agri-food.

 

“The last few budgets have been hard, but they made it possible for Ireland to exit the bailout, reduce our debts, and move into a real recovery.

“The top priority this year is to keep the recovery going in all parts of the country, while providing relief and better services. This budget is affordable, responsible and consistent with the Government’s plan to eliminate Government borrowing by 2018 and to promote regional economic growth, jobs and future recovery.“