Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1135. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide his response to the issue of only four afforestation licences in March 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17495/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Government recently launched the new €1.3 billion Forestry Programme 2023-2027. Subject to State Aid approval, this will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme to date in Ireland. This funding provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income and also to help meet our national climate and biodiversity objectives.

Currently, while we await State Aid approval we can only issue licences for non-grant aided afforestation applications, however my Department has put in place an Interim Afforestation Scheme (via De Minimis) which provides the option of immediate planting for those with valid grant aided approvals to end December 2022. To date in 2023, we have granted 241 afforestation applications representing 1,501 hectares under the De Minimis Scheme.

For those that wish to wait for the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023 -2027, unused valid Afforestation licences are being extended until the end of 2023 to give landowners every opportunity to plant and they will attract increased premium rates and a longer term of 20 years for farmers.

In terms of afforestation 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.

My Department is proactively engaging with the European Commission with a view to securing full State Aid approval as soon as possible.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1136. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to meet with an organisation (details supplied) concerning issues in the forestry licensing system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17496/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will know that the issue with licensing has been substantially resolved and that actions to achieve this resolution were discussed in detail with all stakeholders over an extended period through the framework of Project Woodland in particular.

Improved licence output was achieved through process efficiencies and enhancement, as well as through a significant investment in resources. Seven hundred and two afforestation licences representing over 4,972 hectares of afforestation was approved in 2022. In relation to felling, overall felling licence output to the end of 2022 was 3,293 licences. This represents 9.6 million cubic metres of wood, more than twice the forecast harvest for the second year running.

Communication with stakeholders, and in particular with registered foresters who submit licence applications, is central to a fully functioning licensing system. This communication takes the form of circulars and meetings and these occur on a regular basis and I am confident that the views of all forestry stakeholders are taken account of and acknowledged in the delivery of the licensing system.