Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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19. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be implemented to deal with the backlog in forestry felling and planting licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26987/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Forestry and related issues, particularly the resolution of licensing issues, are a major priority for the Department and I fully recognise its importance to farmers, forest owners, forestry contractors, sawmills and wood processors and to the rural economy as a whole.

In order to fully deliver on the potential of the sector, we need a well-functioning licensing system. I am the first to acknowledge that we have fallen short in terms of turnaround time for licences. Steps have been taken to address the situation, and we have invested hugely in resources with more ecologists, forestry inspectors and administrative staff assigned to licensing. This has seen some gains in output but more work remains to be done. We have set ourselves an ambitious target of 4,500 new licences for this year which is a 75% increase on last year and we are determined to meet this target.

In terms of felling, the volume of timber licensed this year is up 27% on the same period last year. In terms of product to sawmills, Coillte which is the main provider is fully licensed on felling licences for the year albeit not all of their output is immediately available.

I established Project Woodland to work with stakeholders to examine all aspects of forestry, including a review of processes with a view to reducing the licensing backlog. This process is being implemented intensively and the Working Groups are meeting regularly and I understand are shortly due to come forward with recommendations in some cases. The Working Group dealing with the backlog is working on publishing a process and targets for its reduction and other improvements to the system and structure are being examined.

I remain confident that the framework now in place under Project Woodland will address our current difficulties and will result in a licensing system which meets the needs of forest owners, with attendant benefits for all those involved in the sector. I can assure Deputies that no effort is being spared to resolve these difficulties and the issue remains a top political priority for me and the Department.