Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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257. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on increasing the resources and staff of the forestry appeals and licensing process to ensure that all licences and appeals are processed in a timely manner including the clearing of the substantial backlog. [23145/20]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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259. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on establishing an independent review of the implementation of the Forestry Act 2014 to assess the way in which the substantial backlog was allowed to accrue; and the actions the Forestry Service has taken to ameliorate the situation. [23147/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 259 together.

In 2019, my Department commissioned an independent review of the licensing process, by Mr. James Mackinnon, CBE. His document, Review of Approval Processes for Afforestation in Ireland, was published in November 2019 and included 22 “Ways Forward” for the Department and industry stakeholders.

There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to implement these recommendations and my colleague, Minister Pippa Hackett, is considering the appointment of an independent chair to oversee the implementation of the actions in the Report. Furthermore, the Forestry Programme Implementation Group (FRIG), which comprises of relevant stakeholders, will monitor that implementation. A review of the FPIG is underway to ensure that it is balanced and representative and it is hoped that those invited to be members will fully engage with the work of the Group.

I accept the current changes to procedures are very significant and they have been challenging to implement such is the scope and breadth of them, which has unfortunately meant that there have been delays in issuing licences. It has taken substantial resources and effort to introduce a robust and workable system, which meets the legislative requirements, and I believe we now have that in place. A majority of my Department's licensing decisions are being confirmed at the Forestry Appeals Committee which gives confidence in these revised procedures.

My Department has a detailed project plan in place for dealing with the current backlog and new applications, which includes significant investment in extra resources required to deliver the plan. These resources are a combination of additional ecologists, forestry inspectors and administrative staff where required.

The project plan is a targeted, process-driven approach which prioritises files in a manner which will result in an increased number of licences being issued in the short-term and will deliver a return to expected timelines in the longer term. Applicants who have or are prepared to submit a Natura Impact Statement, where appropriate, will be prioritised.

A Project Management Board, with a dedicated Project Manager, is overseeing and monitoring delivery. There will be a continuous review of the process, in order to effect efficiencies. A communication plan to keep stakeholders fully and regularly informed of progress, with a dedicated central resource to deal with queries, is a key element of the project. While much of the success of the project plan lies with my Department, stakeholders also need to engage with it. This will require a commitment from forestry companies to submit only applications which have a realistic chance of being planted, to ensure all applications are of the required standard and quality, and to submit NISs in accordance with the guidance provided.

There is also a commitment under the Programme for Government to review the forestry appeals process to ensure that it is aligned with other comparable appeals processes. That is why a draft amendment to the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001 is being introduced. The public consultation period for the draft Bill recently closed, with almost 9,000 submissions received. These submissions will inform the updated version of the Bill which will be presented to the Oireachtas. The introduction of these amendments will be accompanied by an on-line portal on which forestry licence applications and site details will be easily accessible to any interested party

I am more than aware that the current situation is challenging, but it is a temporary disruption which, when resolved, will make for a better, more sustainable and fit-for-purpose forestry licensing system for many years to come.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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258. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on establishing a forestry knowledge transfer programme similar to beef and dairy programmes. [23146/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has a well established Forestry Knowledge Transfer Group (FKTG) Scheme since its pilot year in 2017. This pilot was very well received and every year since, a new FKTG scheme has been opened, including this year.

The aim of the KTG scheme is to increase the level of forest management activity amongst participating forest owners. The target group are those forest owners that require additional knowledge to help them undertake one or more management activities in their forests. KTGs will provide the mechanism for gaining this expertise and empower them to manage their own forest over its rotation. By filling this knowledge gap, a potential barrier to the mobilisation of timber and biomass can be removed.

Groups are managed by an organiser, who may also be the group facilitators. Groups comprise 20 participants, who meet over seven events, both indoor and outdoor. Outdoor events may comprise visits to forests to demonstrate management activities or to sawmills.Peer-to-peer learning is the key tool, with participants setting their own learning agenda, with the facilitator structuring and guiding the discussion.

The scheme comprises mandatory and optional topics. The mandatory topics cover inter alia, obligations in respect of the Water Framework, Habitats and Birds Directives; health and safety; felling decision support tool; and, sustainable forestry methods and technologies. There is a range of 28 optional subjects including reforestation, woodland improvement and non-timber benefits of forestry. The delivery of this year's programme will, of course, be in accordance with, and conditional on, Covid-19 guidelines.

I am very pleased to note that participation in these schemes has increased year-on-year, as outlined in the following table: