Written answers

Tuesday, 17 September 2019

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Forestry Data

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

485. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received by the Forest Service for planting approval in 2017, 2018 and to the end of June 2019, by county in tabular form; the average amount of time to assess these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37168/19]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme is a voluntary, demand-led scheme under the Forestry Programme 2014 – 2020.  It is open to land owners considering afforesting all or part of their land to apply.Applications for afforestation are carefully assessed by officials of my Department.  The application process provides for 30 days for public consultation.  In addition to this, applications are referred to public bodies for their input.  Up to eight weeks is provided for a response from these referral bodies.  Responses and submissions are reviewed as part of the overall assessment of the application.  As such, a decision cannot be made within the first 30 days or where a response is awaited from the relevant public body.

While there is a national target for the amount of land to be afforested each year, there are no regional or county targets.  The table below shows the number of applications for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme received in 2017, 2018 and to 30thJune, 2019 for each county.  The average time taken to assess these applications is 18 weeks.

County201720182019
Carlow6115
Cavan1016828
Clare1589160
Cork1169343
Donegal31249
Dublin520
Galway10210435
Kerry15213654
Kildare15106
Kilkenny342310
Laois26197
Leitrim1377839
Limerick65408
Longford583617
Louth647
Mayo15513655
Meath273110
Monaghan321011
Offaly492613
Roscommon15413960
Sligo765521
Tipperary65429
Waterford241313
Westmeath915137
Wexford27264
Wicklow392214

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.