To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what consideration his Department has given to the introduction of a concessionary rate for carers accessing departmental owned (i) forests; (ii) country parks; (iii) nature reserves; and (iv) fisheries.

Access to Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) managed Country Parks and Nature Reserves is free to all.

Inland Fisheries are due to commence a review of DAERA licences and permits in the very near future. This will incorporate the review of concessionary type licences/permits and include consideration to the introduction of a concessionary rate for carers.

Currently no charges are applied for pedestrian access to forests, however charges for car parking are applied where it is cost effective to do so. Annual car parking permits allow customers to avail of unlimited visits to all Forest Service recreation sites.

Concessionary car parking permits are available, currently at 50% of annual permit cost, for visitors meeting eligibility conditions based on age. At this time there are no other concessionary arrangements in place.

Forest Service review and publish its fees and charges on an annual basis in line with charging policy and have noted the issue you highlight which will be considered as part the next review later this year.