Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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1127. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of all forestry licence applications predating 2021 that are still to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37203/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) issued 5,310 forestry licences in 2019, 2592 in 2020 ( a year in which licence output was affect by court judgements which led to a very significant change in procedures and to delays) and 4,050 in 2022.

We have committed to issuing 5,250 in 2020 an increase of 30% on 2021 and as part of that output we are intend clearing older files ,where a valid application and all pertinent information is in place. According to Departmental records on 5th July 2022:

There are 465 felling applications, 301 forestry applications and 91 forest roads application predating 2021 are still to be decided upon. These include applications in relation to which further information is required from the applicant, or those DAFM has just received the necessary information, as well as those files entering into the 2nd period of 30 day consultation.

Licence applications with full information are being actively considered by my officials and once that Second period of 30 day consultation has been completed and provided there are no submissions from external parties, they can move to decision. In addition we are reviewing the very oldest applications and we will be writing to applicants to establish if these applications are still live.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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1128. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of forestry licences issued for private felling and for Coillte felling, respectively, per week from 1 January to 30 June 2022; the number of forestry licences issued in the same timeframe in 2021, in tabular form; if these figures are on target, as per the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37273/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has published its target for felling licences in 2022, with the aim of issuing 1,830 private felling licences, an increase of 36% on 2021 and 1,530 Coillte felling licences the same number as issued in 2021.

To the end of June, 1,746 felling licences have been issued. This is ahead of the overall felling target of 1,690 for the end of quarter two. Some 745 private felling licences have been issued, which is 82% of the target at this stage of the year and 1,001 Coillte licences which is 28% above the projected figure. It is, however, inevitable, in the context of the annual target figures, there will be fluctuations in licence output and across categories from week to week.

Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for sector, we remain confident that, by year end, we will achieve our projected targets.

In the interest of full transparency details of all licences issued by category are available on the weekly dashboard. This is published on the Departmental website and is made available to all interested parties as well as being submitted to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine each week.

The number of forestry licences issued for private felling and for Coillte felling, respectively, per week from 1st January to 30th June 2022 and the number of forestry licences issued in the same timeframe in 2021, is set out below.