Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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945. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the forestry industry had an input into the decision making on licensing targets for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7670/22]

Charlie 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 this was the starting point for developing a more ambitious plan for 2022. 

This plan for 5,250 licences in 2022 represents an overall increase in licensing of 30%. It provides for a 100% increase in output for afforestation licences.  In addition the overall number of licences in respect of private felling, roads and afforestation will be increased year on year by 48%, while Coillte felling licences will maintain the level 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.

The development of the Licensing Plan was informed by engagement with stakeholder members, particularly in the Forestry Policy Group. This Group has a broad membership with 26 members, with very strong representation from the forestry industry.  The Group meets every two months and  members are also involved more regularly in Working Groups under Project Woodland.  It will, I believe, meet  the needs of the sector in terms of felling and roads and will go towards improving confidence in terms of the licensing of afforestation and in delivering on support schemes.  

The Department will issue a quarterly update indicating progress to provide ongoing clarity on the licensing plan and to allow monitoring on the delivery of the various key performance indicators (KPIs).

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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946. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of road licences issued to Coillte in his Department's dashboard ending 4 February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7671/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As I advised in Dáil Question number 810 of 8^thFebruary, forest road applications are received and decided daily.  Applications received from Coillte are treated the same as applications from private individuals.  I also advised the Deputy that for weekending 28^thJanuary, 11 road licences were issued to private applicants and four were issued to Coillte. 

In the month of January, 76 forest road licences issued, 36 to private applicants and 40 to Coillte.  In weekending 4th February, five private and eight Coillte road licences were issued.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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947. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 382 of 4 November 2021, the reason a decision has not been issued despite the expectation he expressed at that time that the matter would be addressed in the next two to three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7743/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Further to Dáil question number 382 of 4^thNovember, 2021, where I advised that expected a decision to issue in the next two to three months, which included the mandatory public consultation period of 30 days.  I can confirm that this particular felling licence decision has issued to the applicant.