Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2021
33. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of felling licences approved in each of the previous 12 months; the number of appeals and applications lodged within this timeline; the number of applications yet to be processed; the measures that are being taken to deal with the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27003/21]
View answerForestry, particularly the resolution of the licensing issues are a major priority for my Department and for me. This is because I fully recognise its importance to farmers, forest owners, forestry contractors, sawmills, and wood processors and to the rural economy.
I know that to fully deliver on the potential of the sector we need a well-functioning licensing system. I am the first to acknowledge that we have fallen short in terms of turnaround time for licences. Steps have been taken to address the situation, and we have invested hugely in resources with more ecologists, forestry inspectors and administrative staff assigned to licensing. This has seen some gains in output, but more work remains to be done. We have set ourselves an ambitious target of 4,500 new licences for this year which is a 75% increase on last year and we are determined to meet this target.
In terms of felling, the volume of timber licensed this year is up 27% on the same period last year. In terms of product to sawmills, Coillte which is the main provider is fully licensed on felling licences for the year albeit not all their output is immediately available.
I established Project Woodland, to work with stakeholders to examine all aspects of forestry, including a review of processes with a view to reducing the licensing backlog. This process is being implemented intensively and the Working Groups are meeting regularly, and I understand are shortly due to come forward with recommendations in some cases. The Working Group dealing with the backlog is working on publishing a process and targets for its reduction and other improvements to the system and structure are being examined.
The Deputy has asked for a month-by-month list of tree felling licence applications received decided and appealed which I will arrange to be submitted to the Deputy directly. However, the total applications received in the last 12 months was 3,607 but of those some 1,800 were received in March of this year from Coillte. The number decided in the last year was 1,741 and the number appealed was 271. I would note that the number of appeals has fallen significantly since the introduction of the new legislation in October 2020, going from a high of 62% of licence decisions appealed last September to an average now of 5% per month.
I remain confident that the framework now in place under Project Woodland will address our current difficulties and will result in a licensing system which meets the needs of forest owners, with attendant benefits for all those involved in the sector. I can assure Deputies that no effort is being spared to resolve these difficulties and the issue remains a top political priority for me and my Department.
