Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in reducing the delays in processing and finalising tree planting and tree felling licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11871/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has delivered considerable reductions in the backlog of forestry licences and another significant year-on-year increase in the number of licences issued. The ‘Project Woodland’ defined backlog has reduced from 6,000 applications in August 2021, to 3,700 applications at the start of 2022 to 1,983 by the end of 2022.

Average turnaround times are falling gradually overall, but for files received since 2021, have fallen more significantly.

In 2022, we issued 1,200 more licences than applications received. In total my Department issued 4,713 licences which was 90% of our targeted output. I am fully aware of the low levels of afforestation in recent years. However, 2022 saw a significant increase in the issuing of afforestation licences with my Department issuing 702 afforestation licences for an area of 4,972 hectares. This means that there are now circa 1,000 approved afforestation contracts ready for planting to begin.

The Deputy will be aware that we have secured the best funded Forestry Programme in the history of the state, with €1.3 billion committed to its implementation and with premiums on the new forest types increasing from between 46% to 66% and five extra years of premiums for farmers, giving them an income for 20 years, I expect a bright future for forestry.

I am acutely aware of the urgency with which planting and roading activity must take place, given both our ambitious targets and the need to ensure an active pipeline of work for the sector. My Department has worked intensively with the European Commission to pursue transitional arrangements for the use of valid Forestry Scheme approvals from January 2023. I assure you that the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is a matter of the utmost priority.

In terms of afforestation and road applications which were applied for before 31st December, 2022, but not issued, we are continuing to process these so that they can transition into the new Programme as seamlessly as possible when it opens.

An interim de minimis scheme is also available for those wishing to continue their afforestation programme, in advance of the formal commencement of the new Forestry Programme. Finally, felling licence applications continue to be received and to be issued and to date this year 544 felling licences have issued.

These licences have up to 10-year timelines and are being used by forest owners providing work for forestry contractors and supplying sawmills.