Forestry Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2021

Wednesday, 30 June 2021

Questions (331)

Michael Lowry

Question:

331. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 197, 198, 199 and 203 of 19 May 2021, if he will complete a needs analysis survey of the industry to develop metrics of the requirements for licensing and scheme approvals in the private sector which can inform project woodland given that it is not possible to say with any certainty, the number of licenses that must issue to achieve various targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35020/21]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under Project Woodland, Working Group (WG) 1 are tasked with making recommendations to the Project Board in relation to deliverables and milestones in relation to processing sufficient licences for the sector and dealing with the current backlog of licences. Working Group 1 has a wide representation of stakeholders that are well placed to carry out these tasks and will receive any assistance they require in terms of their work in determining the requirement of the sector in terms of the Departments licensing and scheme approvals. In addition, WG 3 are working on a customer charter for applicants.

I expect recommendations on both of these to issue soon to the Project Board overseeing the implementation of Project Woodland who will give it their full and immediate attention.