I propose to take Questions Nos. 1261 and 1262 together.
My Department receives applications and issues decisions for forestry licences daily. Last year, 1,719 tree felling licences were issued for just over five million cubic metres of timber. To date this year, my Department has already issued 516 tree felling licences for 1.6 million cubic metres, which is 16% up on the number issued at the same point last year.
The number of applications received, decided and awaiting decision for felling licences for Co. Cork, for the years indicated are given in the table below.
Year
|
No. ApplicationsReceived
|
No. DecisionsIssued
|
No. Received in YearIndicated & AwaitingDecision
|
2017
|
400
|
375
|
25
|
2018
|
535
|
497
|
37
|
2019
|
800
|
626
|
174
|
2020
|
268
|
146
|
123
|
To 26th March 2021
|
225
|
16
|
225
|
It is not possible to give the number of applications on hand as of 1st September, 2020.
The Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) is operationally independent of my Department. However, I have been advised that there are nine appeals received in 2020 that are awaiting a decision of the FAC and four appeals have been received by the FAC in 2021, which are also awaiting decision. These are appeals against decisions on tree felling licences in Co. Cork.