Written answers

Thursday, 10 February 2022

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Forestry Sector

Photo of Michael McNamaraMichael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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108. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of felling licences and afforestation permits granted in total in 2020 and 2021, respectively; the number of applications outstanding or undecided for felling licences and afforestation permits at 1 January 2020, 1 February 2021 and 1 January 2022, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7080/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued 4,050 forestry licences last year, which is an increase of 56% on the number issued in 2020 and met our revised target of 4,000 licences. It is our intention to build on this momentum in 2022 and the Forestry Licensing Plan for 2022 was published last week.

The Plan details a range of forestry priorities for the year and specifically on licensing that

- The licensing plan contains a target of 5,250 licences issues, which is a year-on-year increase of 30%.

- A higher priority will be given to afforestation licences for 2022 with a 107% increase in output up to 1,040.

- There will be a year-on-year increase of 48% of private felling, roads and afforestation files. Coillte felling licences will maintain the levels they achieved in 2021.

- The Department will also refocus on the delivery of most approvals from several schemes including Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) (Ash Dieback), the Reconstitution of Woodland Scheme (Frost), the Native Woodland Scheme and a proposed small-scale planting scheme for up to one hectare of native species.

In 2020, the Department issued 525 afforestation and 1,717 tree felling licences; in 2021 that number was 502 and 2,877 respectively. Overall in 2021, with the exception of Coillte, we issued more licences than we received from applicants.

In January this year, 64 afforestation and 293 licences were issued which is a very good stat to the year. At the beginning of January 2022, the Department had 4,803 licence applications on hand. This figure has reduced from 6,100 in August 2021. As with the second half of last year, we expect to continue more licences that we receive throughout 2022.

Photo of Seán SherlockSeán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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109. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation licences that were allocated in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022. [7058/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In 2020, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued 525 forestry licences and in 2021 that number was 502. In January this year, 64 afforestation licences were issued.

The Department issued 4,050 forestry licences last year, which is an increase of 56% on the number issued in 2020, and met our revised target of 4,000 licences. It is our intention to build on this momentum in 2022 and the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 was published last week. This will have a significant focus on afforestation.

The licensing plan contains a target of 5,250 licences issues which is a year-on-year increase of 30% and includes:

- A higher priority will be given to afforestation licences for 2022 with a 107% increase in output targeted up to 1,040.

- There will be a year-on-year increase of 48% of private felling, roads and afforestation files. Coillte felling licences will maintain the levels they achieved in 2021.

- The Department will also refocus on the delivery of most approvals from several schemes including Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) (Ash Dieback), the Reconstitution of Woodland Scheme (Frost), the Native Woodland Scheme and a proposed small-scale planting scheme for up to one hectare of native species.

A greater concern for all of us must be that the number of afforestation applications has continued its downward decline in 2021. Reversing this trend, I believe requires a concerted effort now, from everybody with an interest in seeing more trees planted in Ireland. 2022 will be a big year for farmers with the arrival of a new CAP and new Forestry Programme and it is important that the benefits of afforestation are well understood by them.

The Department is, as always, ready to play its part and assist in improving communications. We understand of course that improved licensing output has a role to play hence the importance attached to improved licensing output in 2022.

However, positive messaging around the benefit of afforestation is the responsibility of all, particularly those with a direct line of communication to farmers and landowners.

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