Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
965. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an average of around 45 licences has been issued in each week for 2021 going by the quarter 1 dashboard figures between all of the approximate 60 forestry inspectors and ecologists of all grades dealing with forestry licence applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23908/21]
View answerOver 1,080 licences have issued year to date which is an average of around 60 licences per week. The licensing situation continues to be our main priority. While the current licensing situation is still not as we wish, there is an improvement on the same period last year, with an increase of 11% on the number of licences issued.
A detailed breakdown is outlined below.:
- Felling licences are up by 1% but in volume terms are 29% higher than the same period last year.
- Afforestation licences are down by 3% but in hectares licensed are up by 16%
- Roads licences are 84% higher than last year and 11% higher in km's licensed.
We have set a target of 4,500 licences this year which is a 75% increase on last year. Every effort is being made to achieve this target and I expect May's output of licences to be significantly up on the previous month and for this to continue into subsequent months.
