Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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916. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of forestry licences issued in the years 2023 to date, by type, by quarter, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23215/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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917. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares of land licensed for afforestation in the years 2023 to date, by quarter, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23216/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 916 and 917 together.

The number of hectares of land newly licensed for afforestation in the years 2023 to date, by quarter, in tabular form is set out below.

Afforestation H/a Licences Issued

The number of forestry licences issued in the years 2023 to date, by type, by quarter, in tabular form is set out below.

Forestry Licences Issued

In addition to the above figures, there are currently 4,490 hectares approved and ready for planting. The Minister of State, Michael Healy Rae will make contact with these landowners shortly by letter and encourage them to commence planting as soon as possible. This will be followed up by phone calls to a selection of licence holders. This is part of a comprehensive communications plan to promote the forestry options available to land owners under the very attractive forestry programme 23-27 using all channels of communication.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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918. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares of land afforested in the years 2023 to date, by quarter, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23217/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The table below illustrates the planting per quarter from 2023 to 7th May 2025 as requested.

The Afforestation Scheme is demand led, and my department is pursuing a comprehensive communications strategy to promote the forestry options to farmers and other land owners. Already in 2025 there is a significant increase in afforestation planted on the same period last year.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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919. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline his targets for forestry licence issuance and new afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23218/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department will publish the Forestry Licensing Plan for 2025 in the coming weeks, taking account of developments on foot of the fallout from the recent storms, Darragh and Éowyn. The Plan will cover Afforestation, Roads, Private and Coillte felling licences.

Now that the satellite assessment of the extent of the damage is complete, my Department can assess information being received and plan in more detail accordingly.

My Department is prioritising felling and road storm damage applications but overall, is committed to meeting turnaround times as set out in the Farmers Charter for the processing of other forestry licences.

Planting figures for the first four months of 2025 are up 140% from 2024 with 1,078ha planted and paid to date. In addition a further 1,800 hectares are committed or have commenced planting with a remaining 4,490 hectares approved and ready for planting. My colleague, Minister Healy-Rae will shortly be writing to those who have a licence and who have not yet planted to advise them of the benefits of forestry and to encourage uptake.