Written answers
Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Forestry Sector
Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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770. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide, in tabular form, the total number of private felling licences issued by his Department in each year since 2014; the number of felling licences issued to Coillte for the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40186/23]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, it is my aim to deliver a felling licensing system which meets the needs of the forestry sector. This is regardless of whether that application comes from a private individual, a forest owner or Coillte. Each licence has a value, particularly to the rural economy, where the timber is harvested, transported and processed.
To date in 2023, my Department has issued 1,007 Coillte licences and 1,107 private felling licences (48%/52%, respectively). Last year, we issued 1,686 Coillte and 1,607 private licences (51%/49% respectively).
My Department issues an annual report with extensive statistics on forestry called "Forest Statistics Ireland 2023" and this can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/collection/15b56-forest-statistics-and-mapping.
The number of felling licences issued since 2014 is set out below.
| Private Felling licences issued | Coillte Felling licences issued | |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1,702 | 915 |
| 2015 | 1,152 | 1,454 |
| 2016 | 1,492 | 1,247 |
| 2017 | 1,312 | 1,691 |
| 2018 | 1,449 | 2,154 |
| 2019 | 1,046 | 3,134 |
| 2020 | 852 | 865 |
| 2021 | 1,345 | 1,532 |
| 2022 | 1,607 | 1,686 |
| 2023 (to 8 September) | 1,107 | 1,007 |
Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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771. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to specify the length of time the director of forestry is in place; to list, in tabular form and date form, the associations, societies and semi-State bodies that the director has met since his appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40187/23]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Director of Forestry was appointed to the position on 15 November 2021.
As part of his role the Director has met with a range of established organisations from the forestry and farming sectors, relevant stakeholder groups and Coillte.
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