Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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19. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation licences issued per week from 1 January to 30 June 2022; the number of afforestation licences issued in the same timeframe in 2021; if these figures are on target as per the Forestry Licencing Plan 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37345/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has committed to issuing 5,250 forestry licences this year, which is an increase of 30% on the number issued last year. The Forestry Licensing Plan was published at the start of the year and sets out a range of forestry priorities for 2022.

As regards progression towards our overall target at the end of Quarter 2 up to 30th June, 2,449 licences have issued, just short of the projected average of 2,635 at 93%. 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.

Across the individual categories of private felling, Coillte felling and roads we are close to or above our projected target. I acknowledge that we have not reached expected levels in relation to afforestation at 57%. However when compared to our output at the same time last year we are ahead.

In order to achieve our targets, we have improved our systems, and given the number of files required to be referred to ecology, we have recruited additional ecologists.

There are 35 full-time equivalent ecologists working on forestry applications with 21 dealing with afforestation. The full impact of these measures and of this recruitment will become evident from now on. Training of these new staff and the requirement for Second 30 day public consultation period for those sites subject to Appropriate Assessment has delayed output to date, but I am hopeful that the second half of the year will see an increase in the number of afforestation files issued

In addition, to ensure efficient use of resources and similar to other planning authorities, files with outstanding further information requests back with the applicants over a set time will be removed from the licensing worklist. Reminders will always be sent to applicants to make them aware of the situation with their file.

In the interest of full transparency details of all licences issued by category are available on the weekly dashboard. This is published on my Department's 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.

Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsbility for the sector, it is my firm commitment to meet the targets as set out in the Licencing Plan and to deliver for the forestry sector in Ireland.