Written answers
Thursday, 13 October 2022
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Forestry Sector
Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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472. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if felling licences which were issued in 2019 can be extended for another year, given that Covid-19 restrictions prevented felling taking place for large parts of 2020, and that there is now a backlog and waiting lists for contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50813/22]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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A Tree Felling Licence of up to 10 years in duration is permitted under the provisions of the Forestry Act 2014, this may be extended for one or more further periods, not exceeding a total of 5 years. The owners of the land for which a felling licence has issued and nearing expiration, should contact my Department and an application for amending the licence can be considered.
Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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473. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if holders of current forestry approvals will be allowed to use these approvals before Christmas and avail of the new programme for forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50820/22]
Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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474. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if pre-Christmas forestry planting works can be incorporated into the new forestry programme proposed for January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50823/22]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 473 and 474 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department are currently developing a new Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which will include the next Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027.
Holders of valid approvals where the 14-day appeal period has passed, and where an appeal has not been lodged may use their approval in 2022.
Any landowner with a valid approval who commences work in 2022 will be paid at the current rates offered through the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 (extended to end 2022). However, my Department are currently considering the transitional arrangements for the use of valid Forestry Scheme approvals when the new Forestry Programme launches in 2023.
A circular on these arrangements will issue in due course.
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