Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes, since the legislation went through, we are.

Undoubtedly there is a crunch in supply within the sector, which has built up as a result of the backlog that was there. That undoubtedly is causing massive challenges and difficulties for the sector. The Minister of State, Senator Hackett, and I are very conscious of it and every step that can be taken is taken within the Department to address that. I have outlined the staffing additions that have been put in, the legislative changes that have been made and the fact that this effort will continue. The forestry appeals committee has sub-divided into four separate sub-committees to increase their capacity. Across all the areas where actions need to be taken and resources allocated, that is happening and it will continue.

In the past couple of months, we are starting to see the volume increase, in terms of licences being issued. That is starting to work its way into the system and it needs to continue. It does not take away from the fact that over the past number of months volume has been decreasing and we have seen a supply crunch, which is causing undoubted difficulty. I want to see this issue resolved and will be doing all that I can, along with the Minister of State, Senator Hackett, to resolve it.

On the pathway ahead and trying to improve afforestation in the years ahead, to meet our targets and make it a more attractive proposition, addressing the backlog is part of that. We also must work with farmers on how we can incentivise and encourage people to look at forestry as something to add to their enterprise and add to their income.

On the development of the new forestry plan and the new Common Agricultural Policy, I welcome Deputies’ input and ideas on how we can increase and improve afforestation levels from where they are at present and how we can see that increase significantly in the years ahead.

On the payments, the Deputy rightly pointed out the importance of being paid on time and the importance of trying to ensure that inspections, and satellite inspections in particular, do not impact on people and lead to significant delays. As Minister, I want to work on this and prioritise it. Fortunately, this year we have seen the highest number ever of applicants paid, with 99% of eligible farmers now having been paid. This is a significant achievement and one that reflects well on all the staff members involved. I will work with the team to ensure this continues to be a priority in the time ahead.

On the GLAS rollover, we are currently engaged with the European Commission to finalise and seek approval on rolling it over for another year. I am determined to ensure that it is as practical as possible with as little red tape as possible for farmers. For the 35,000 of the 48,000 farmers who are in GLAS and who are due to finish the fifth year of their scheme this month, it was crucial that the Government prioritised that funding to support the scheme to continue in the budget. It was not easily achieved but the funding was secured as part of an overall 11% increase in funding for agriculture. Those in GLAS will be able to roll it over into next year. We are working on finalising the administrative arrangements around that now.

On the €79 million in additional founding for environmental measures that came in the budget and which had not been there previously, I am currently assessing the types of measures it might be spent on, as well as the level of funds to be spent on the new pilot scheme, which would be targeted at those not currently in GLAS.

The number of applicants and the exact details are currently being worked on and are not finalised just yet.

On the figures for the new rural environment protection, REP, scheme, the pilot scheme for the incoming year will help to inform that nature, content and objectives of the follow-on REP scheme, into which people coming out of GLAS will ultimately transition. Again, I will be consulting and engaging on this widely, including the views of the Deputies and stakeholders, with positive contributions and suggestions around how we can make that a scheme that delivers on our environmental objectives in biodiversity and climate change, while, importantly, working well for farmers and ensuring it delivers net income for farmers. That is very important. I will be very open to ideas around that.