Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2021
490. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of forestry licence applications to his Department in June 2019 before the buffer zone was increased to 15 km; the number of forestry licence applications currently with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34116/21]
View answerIt is not possible to say at this remove the number of forestry licences that were on hand prior to June 2019.
The Department made significant changes to its Appropriate Assessment procedures in 2019. These were in relation to increasing the zone of influence for consideration of appropriate assessment from 3 km to 15 km and to implement European and National Case law in relation to the consideration of mitigation at screening stage. It is well known that these substantive changes resulted in delays in the processing of licences and in a backlog of applications. We have invested heavily in ecology resources and training in order to service these new requirements, and have been engaged in a process of continuous improvement, including streamlining of procedures, so that output may improve. These measures are now taking effect, with 1,594 licences issued to date this year which is 27% up on the same time last year.
There is a still a great deal of work to do as there are 5,978 forestry licence applications on hand. Not all of these could be considered to be in backlog, as this figure for instance includes 1,724 outstanding from the batch application of 1,864 licences received from Coillte in mid-March
In this regard, Project Woodland, which was launched in February this year, has been set up with the objective of reviewing and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the forestry licensing system, as well as the creation of a shared national vision for forestry and the development of a new Forest Strategy.
Two working groups in particular are looking at the licensing situation. Working Group 1 is tasked with looking at the backlog. This Group has examined in detail the cases on hand and is producing specific recommendations for improving output, including a definition of the backlog, which will be brought to the Project Board for consideration. Working Group 4 is concentrating on licensing process improvement. A business analyst has commenced work on an end-to-end process review. In addition, proposals for a pre-application process and a planning grant are under development and will be submitted to the Project Board shortly. The Group is also actively considering how best to conduct a regulatory review of the licensing system. The Forestry Policy Group which meets this week will receive a full update on progress to date.
Furthermore, we have set ourselves a target of issuing 4,500 licences this year which is a 75% increase on last year and I remain hopeful that we will reach this target.
