Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the issues facing the forestry sector and the timber industry and considerable efforts have been made to address them. Significant additional resources have been recruited and training, information and guidance has been provided to both Departmental staff and registered foresters and, as a result, we have seen gains in terms of output.

The introduction of Project Woodland, recently launched by Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has responsibility for forestry, is our strategy for resolving the licensing issues. This new structure aims to ensure that the current backlog is addressed. The Project involves a review and refresh of our processes and procedures and includes outside stakeholder participation to bring an independent perspective. It is a task-driven process, with clear deliverable and milestones.

A target to issue 4,500 licences in 2021 has been set which is a 75% increase on 2020. The number of private and Coillte tree felling licences issued since June 2020 and the average time to decision is in the table below.

I remain confident that the changes presented under the Project Woodland structure to processes within my Department will bear fruit, particularly to give confidence to all applicants that they can receive a timely decision on their forestry licence application.