Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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827. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of files (details supplied) which are with the ecology section of the Forest Service; when the files in question are likely to be processed; the length of time the files have been with the service; if those files are likely to be processed within the four month timeframe; if it is appropriate for the Forest Service to tell a client that it does not have a timeframe as to when the application will be processed due to a large backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10912/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In the recently published forestry licensing plan for 2022,  the Department have committed to refocus on the delivery of most approvals from several schemes including Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) (Ash Dieback).

The three applications for the Reconstitution and Underplanting (Ash Dieback) Scheme (RUS) referred to were submitted on behalf of the applicant in December 2020.  These cases have been assessed and screened in for Appropriate Assessment.  As the applications are to remove broadleaves and replace with conifers and an appropriate assessment is required, Planning permission from the Local Authority is required, in addition to DAFM scheme approval.

Contact has been made between my officials and their counterparts in Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage on this issue. We are exploring potential alternatives to the current system that requires both planning permission and a felling licence (or exemption from a felling licence).  My officials have outlined the background to the issues and the reasons for proposed changes to the legislation to enable my Department be the sole Department in providing consents for the replacing of Broadleaf High Forest with conifer species.  

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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828. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of forestry licences issued to applicants in counties Laois and Offaly in 2020 and 2021. [10958/22]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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829. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants awaiting the issue of a forestry licence in counties Laois and Offaly. [10959/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 828 and 829 together.

Last year, the Department issued a total of 4,050 forestry licences for afforestation, felling and roads,  which was a 56% increase on 2020.  A detailed licencing plan for 2022 has been published and is available at gov.ie - Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 (www.gov.ie). There is an overall target to issue 5,250 licences this year and main targets as follows:

- Ahigher priority will be given to afforestation licences for 2022 with a planned 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 number of private forestry licences issued in 2020 and 2021 for counties Laois and Offaly are shown below. 

The number of applications awaiting decision are in the following table.