Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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3418. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average waiting time for a new felling, afforestation and roads forestry licences, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40682/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Resolving the licensing issues remains my main priority. June was the highest month for the issuing of private felling licences in over five years and included 226 private felling licences or an average rate of over 50 private felling licences a week. In total, the Department was issuing an average of 95 licences over the seven weeks up to the end of June which was a 50% increase on previous weeks this year.

Because of the recent introduction of a consultation period of 30 days for cases that are undergoing Appropriate Assessment, on foot of the European Union (Birds and Natural Habitats) (Amendment) Regulations S.I 293 of 2021, this rate of licence decisions has not been possible in July and will only show an upturn in mid-August. Continued high output will also depend on receiving good quality harvest plans from applicants and their agents and good quality Natura Impact Statements (NIS), where sought.

Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, we remain committed to issuing 4,500 licences this year, which is an increase of 75% on last year, and I am hopeful that we will meet this target.

The average time in months, for forestry licence decisions is given in the table below, which is for licences issued this year.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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3419. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he anticipates that Ireland will reach it's 8,000ha afforestation target in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40683/21]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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3420. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the afforestation rates for each of the years 2015 to 2020 by year; the expected forecast afforestation rates for each of the years 2021 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40685/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 3419 and 3420 together.

Forestry will play an important role in meeting our environmental objectives under the Climate Action Plan and on biodiversity, as outlined in the Programme for Government. In terms of afforestation, the Department continues to receive and issue forestry licences daily.

At this time, it appears that Ireland will not achieve the target 8,000ha of new afforestation planted this year. I expect that my Department will issue licences in respect of 5,000 new hectares this year which when added to licences already issued and unused should be sufficient to meet this target. Every licence is valuable and I would include all landowners to use them and enjoy the long-term economic and environmental benefits of afforestation.

There are many reasons why landowners decide not to plant forestry, including competition for other land uses and change of ownership. Delays in licensing is a contributory factor. From engagements with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, we area addressing these delays through Project Woodland, which will bring improvements in licence processing efficiency and output. We are committed to issuing 4,500 forestry licences this year, which is a 75% increase on last year’s output. I am hopeful we will meet this target.

The target of 8,000ha new afforestation is set out in the Government’s Climate Action Plan, 2019. The afforestation rates for 2015 to 2020 are set out in the table below. Since 7^thAugust, 2018, the validity period of afforestation licences was changed to three years,. The landowner is free to seek financial approval, which is a straightforward process, at any time they are ready to commence planting, once within the validity of the licence. To the end of June, my Department has paid for 1,243ha of newly established forestry. In addition to this, there is 5,500ha approved and ready to plant. To 23^rdJuly, new afforestation approvals have issued for 2,732ha and there is approx. 7,500ha in the system, awaiting approval.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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3421. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of felling, afforestation and roads licences yet to be approved for County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40690/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department receives forestry licence applications and issues decisions daily. To date this year (23^rdJuly), 1,900 forestry licences, which is 25% up on the same time last year.

The table below shows the number of forestry licences on hand for each licence type for Co. Kerry, or where a licence may cross county boundaries, e.g. Cork and Kerry.