Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
2043. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the afforestation rates by county in each of the years 2015 to 2020, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15897/21]
View answerForestry will play an important role in meeting our environmental objectives under the Climate Action Plan and, in terms of biodiversity, as outlined in the Programme for Government. It is for this reason that my Department will be focusing on afforestation applications in the coming weeks. I am mindful of the seasonality factor associated with afforestation and, therefore, while other forestry licence types will continue to issue, afforestation will be the priority.
Forestry licences continue to be received and issued daily. In addition, there is another 4,500ha already approved and available to plant. It is up to landowners to decide to plant, once they have received approval to do so, but I would encourage anyone that has approval to arrange financial approval, which is a straightforward process completed by their registered forester and to commence planting.
Minister of State in the Department Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the forestry sector, recently announced Project Woodland on foot of receiving the Jo O'Hara report and work is now under way to immediately to implement this. I am hopeful that changes to processes both within the Department and the independent Forestry Appeals Committee, will bear fruit, particularly to give confidence to applicants and potential applicants, that they can receive a timely decision on their afforestation application. This should encourage more landowners to consider tree planting.
The Department publishes forestry statistics on its website, which include licences issued; hectares planted and whether they were broadleaf or conifers.
The data sought by the Deputy is included in the attached spreadsheet.
