Written answers
Tuesday, 8 October 2024
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Forestry Sector
Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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409. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of decisions the Forestry Appeals Committee made in 2023 and 2024 respectively, disaggregated by whether the hearing was paper-based or oral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40043/24]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Please see the figures requested below. Further information on the proceedings and decisions of the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) can be found on their website here:
www.agriappeals.gov.ie/forestryappealscommittee/
| 2023 FAC Decisions that had an oral hearing. | 10 |
|---|---|
| 2023 FAC Decisions that did not have an oral hearing. | 80 |
| Total 2023 FAC Decisions. | 90 |
| 2024 FAC Decisions that had an oral hearing. | 1 |
| 2024 FAC Decisions that did not have an oral hearing. | 48 |
| 2024 FAC Decisions.* | 49 |
*2024 figures are up to 03/10/2024
Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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410. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total cost of associated with the work of the Forestry Appeals Committee for each year from 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40044/24]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Information on the total costs associated with the work of the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) for the dates requested is set out by year below.
| Year | Cost | Decisions made |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | €85,092.72 | 296 |
| 2021 | €481,457.27 | 435 |
| 2022 | €89,328.03 | 145 |
| 2023 | €86,298.44 | 101 |
| 2024 (to 3rd October) | €57,017.51 | 39 |
*The FAC cost may include room hire, training and translation fees for the Chairperson’s reports.
2020
The Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 was enacted on 6th October 2020, and the Act and associated Regulations came into force on that date. The Act provided introduction of fees for the making of appeals (€200 per appeal), the appointment of Deputy Chairpersons, and amendment of the options available to the FAC in making decisions on appeals.
- The FAC cost was €85,092.72*.
- Fees received for 42 valid appeals was €8,400.
- The FAC issued 296 decisions.
2021
Expenditure for the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) in 2021 was €481,457.27.
The introduction of the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 provided for the establishment of additional Forestry Appeals Committees of which there are currently four sitting committees. This consequently required the appointment of six additional experts. The appointment of these additional resources led to an increase in expenditure and facilitated clearing the backlog of forestry appeals.
Also, in 2021 the FAC availed of external technical expertise, and this incurred an expense of €7,285.72. This fee is accounted for in the below total cost of FAC. 1. The FAC cost was €481,457.27.*
2. Fees received for 109 valid appeals was €21,800.
3. The FAC issued 435 decisions. In January 2021 there were 392 licences subject to appeal which were carried over from the previous years. During 2021, 463 cases were closed, including outstanding licences that were under appeal from previous years. This resulted in a clearing of all the backlog at the time.
*The FAC cost may include room hire, training and translation fees for the Chairperson’s reports.
2022
- The FAC cost was €89,328.03.*
- Fees received for 131 valid appeals was €26,200.
- The FAC issued 145 decisions.
2023
- The FAC cost was €86,298.44.*
- Fees received for 43 valid appeals was €8,600.
- The FAC issued 101 decisions.
2024 up to 3rd October 2024
- FAC has cost €57,017.51*
- Fees received for 93 valid appeals €18,600.
- The FAC has issued 39 decisions
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