Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
3419. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he anticipates that Ireland will reach it's 8,000ha afforestation target in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40683/21]
View answer3420. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the afforestation rates for each of the years 2015 to 2020 by year; the expected forecast afforestation rates for each of the years 2021 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40685/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 3419 and 3420 together.
Forestry will play an important role in meeting our environmental objectives under the Climate Action Plan and on biodiversity, as outlined in the Programme for Government. In terms of afforestation, the Department continues to receive and issue forestry licences daily.
At this time, it appears that Ireland will not achieve the target 8,000ha of new afforestation planted this year. I expect that my Department will issue licences in respect of 5,000 new hectares this year which when added to licences already issued and unused should be sufficient to meet this target. Every licence is valuable and I would include all landowners to use them and enjoy the long-term economic and environmental benefits of afforestation.
There are many reasons why landowners decide not to plant forestry, including competition for other land uses and change of ownership. Delays in licensing is a contributory factor. From engagements with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, we area addressing these delays through Project Woodland, which will bring improvements in licence processing efficiency and output. We are committed to issuing 4,500 forestry licences this year, which is a 75% increase on last year’s output. I am hopeful we will meet this target.
The target of 8,000ha new afforestation is set out in the Government’s Climate Action Plan, 2019. The afforestation rates for 2015 to 2020 are set out in the table below. Since 7th August, 2018, the validity period of afforestation licences was changed to three years,. The landowner is free to seek financial approval, which is a straightforward process, at any time they are ready to commence planting, once within the validity of the licence. To the end of June, my Department has paid for 1,243ha of newly established forestry. In addition to this, there is 5,500ha approved and ready to plant. To 23rd July, new afforestation approvals have issued for 2,732ha and there is approx. 7,500ha in the system, awaiting approval.
|
Afforestation Rates |
||||||
|
County |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Total |
6,284.28 |
6,499.80 |
5,535.75 |
4,025.48 |
3,549.89 |
2,434.32 |
