I propose to take Questions Nos. 504 and 505 together.
The COFORD Wood Mobilisation Working Group with input from my Department, has prepared the Roundwood Production Forecast 2016 – 2035, which estimates the volumes that are available for harvesting in the national forest estate for each year. In 2020, the volume estimated was 3.9m cubic metres and 4.1m cubic metres is estimated for 2021. The actual amount harvested in 2018, which is the last year for which data is available was 3.6m cubic metres. My Department issued tree felling licences for a total volume of 5.023m cubic metres in 2020. There are currently 2,760 tree felling licence applications on hand, covering approx. 15,000 ha, and a further 189 awaiting a decision by the FAC (3,400 ha approx), which will provide a steady supply of timber.
The target for new afforestation in 2021 is 8,000 ha, as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2019. In 2020, my Department issued afforestation licences for 4,342ha of afforestation and 2,433ha of new afforestation was planted. Afforestation licences have a three-year validity and my Department estimates a total of 4,900ha is available for planting with a valid afforestation licence and not subject to appeal. I would encourage licence holders to plant afforestation and to benefit from the grants and generous annual premiums that are available. At present, my Department has 1,009 afforestation applications on hand for 4,500ha approx. and there are a further 90 awaiting a decision by the FAC (1,100ha approx.).
The positive increase in licensing in Q4 of 2020 has continued with 177 licences issued in the first two weeks of January which includes timber volume of nearly 450,000 m3. The aim is to sustain and build substantially on that output and ensure the consistent high level of output that the sector needs. Since 1st October, we have now issued 1,045 new licences and we aim to grow this output further.
Resolving these licensing issues is a top priority of mine and no effort is being spared in my Department to fix them. I remain confident that the steps taken in 2020, and the additional resources available into 2021, will yield the results required to support the forestry industry for the years ahead.