Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2021
6. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares of new forestry planting targeted for 2021; the number of applications for felling licences outstanding; and the expected timeframe to resolve the current backlog. [26909/21]
View answerThe Minister of State, Senator Hackett, said that she was genuine in her ambition for forestry in Ireland. I accept that she is sincere in her ambition but she took office with a very bad position on forestry and the position has got a whole lot worse since the Government has been in place. What changes will she make to resolve what is now a crisis in Irish forestry?
I do not think the situation has got worse. I agree that it is not a lot better, but it certainly has not got worse.
Forestry and related issues, particularly the resolution of licensing issues, are a major priority for the Department and me. We recognise the importance of forestry to farmers, forest owners, forestry contractors, sawmills, nurseries, wood processors and the wider rural economy as a whole. It is a hugely valuable and important sector.
In order to deliver fully 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. This continues to be a problem. Steps have been taken to address the situation. We have invested hugely in resources and taken on more ecologists, forestry inspectors and administrative staff. They have seen some gains in output, but I agree that more work remains to be done. We have set ourselves an ambitious target of 4,500 new licences for this year, which would be 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, which is an improvement. In terms of product to sawmills, Coillte which is the main provider, is fully licensed on felling licences for 2021, although not all of its output is immediately available. We hope to rectify that very soon.
I established Project Woodland to work with the most important 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. I understand that they are due to come forward to me with recommendations in some cases. I have asked for a timeline for clearance of the backlog. 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.
The number of licences issued for felling in March and April this year was down by 25% compared with the same period last year. Whether it is afforestation licences, road-opening licences or felling licences, we are way behind target. Not only are we dealing with a crisis in the here and now with our timber industry, but we are facing a generational crisis with regard to afforestation. The Minister of State has set a target of 8,000 ha for planting. Last year, we were wildly off those targets. She has set a target of 8,000 ha this year. At present, less than 2,500 ha have been licensed. Do licences for afforestation include figures for replanting? In other words, when felling has taken place and it is replanted, is that included in the Minister of State's figures? That is not new forestry.
To address the Deputy's final point, afforestation is new areas and replanting is part of the felling and replanting option, so that is not afforestation, just reforestation. The afforestation levels that the Deputy quotes are correct. Past levels have been low. We have not attained the target of 8,000 ha under the climate action plan. I expect, unfortunately, that the levels of afforestation this year will be similar to last year. However, we hope that the trend will reverse with the work on Project Woodland and the co-ordinated approach to introduce more effective processes in the issuing of licences. We expect that initiative to operate well under Project Woodland. The January figures for licensing for felling were high. They may have dropped off in February and March. The licensing tends to be seasonal because you can only fell at certain times of the year. I agree that we need to have confidence injected into the sector, which is something I want to do.
How many applications are currently being processed per week? I have mentioned the crisis. Everywhere I go, I hear about this. If one tries to encourage a farmer to enter forestry schemes right now, one will be on a hiding to nothing. That is where there is a crucial concern for the future. We know that Coillte is important but the preferential treatment it has been given compared with private landowners has meant that that sector where we need growth to happen with regard to afforestation policy has become completely disengaged. It is disengaged because of the failures of the Department. I have asked the Minister of State on a number of occasions if she will face up to the faceless bureaucrats in her Department who are responsible for this crisis and who are still in charge of getting us out of it. We need a fundamental rethink, which will not happen unless there is engagement with stakeholders, which means the farmers, who can play a really important role. Will that change happen?
Deputy Carthy has covered much of the issue. If, prior to March 2021, Coillte was able to provide generic, non-site-specific harvest plans with its felling applications and that has been accepted practice between Coillte and the Department, how many applications have been submitted and processed in this manner and will the Minister of State make a statement on it?
We have new legislation and more staff across the board in the Department dealing with this. After four months of this year, we are only marginally ahead of the number of licences issued over the same period last year. We have looked for a timeline to clear the backlog. Has the Minister of State a reply to that?
Do I address all three Deputies? Deputy Browne has a specific question.
Deputy Carthy tabled the question and the other two Deputies are entitled to ask a supplementary question.
I concur with the concerns raised. We need to inject confidence into the sector. Our farmers will be key to this. We do not have many more hectares of State land to afforest, so if we are to meet our targets, we will rely almost wholly on private landowners and farmers. I reject the claim that we give preferential treatment to Coillte. It supplies 75% of the timber for Irish sawmills and receives approximately 65% of the felling licences. I do not think that is preferential treatment. Will Deputy Browne ask that full question later? I have a more extensive answer for him for that.
If I could come back in.
I will not be able to respond to that in this time.
The time is the Minister of State's to use as she sees fit.
I have only five seconds left.
The Minister of State will get the chance later on, perhaps.
