Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2019
481. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a forestry application (details supplied) in County Clare; when it is likely to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21612/19]
View answerAn application for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme was commenced by the applicant's registered forester in August 2018. Certain mandatory documentation must be received by my Department before an application can be accepted as complete. This documentation was not finalised by the registered forester until February 2019. On examination, it was found that the application did not include provision for broadleaves and some conifer plots were small in area. Consequently, a revised species map was requested to address these matters, which was provided by the registered forester on 3rd May 2019.
The application has now been referred to the Department's Forestry District Inspector, who will examine it in detail and make recommendations, taking account of its potential impact on, among other things, the environment and local landscape. Once those recommendations are available, they will form the decision on the application, which will be notified to the applicant and the registered forester.
