I propose to take Questions Nos. 362 and 363 together.
All forestry licences and schemes are voluntary therefore, it is not possible to exactly predict the level of applications that are likely to be received each year. The applications received for the last three full years and to end-September, 2021 are indicated in the table below, for each of the three forestry licence types.
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021 to end Sept
|
Afforestation
|
1,074
|
1,005
|
851
|
417
|
Tree Felling
|
5,969
|
330
|
1,762
|
2,762
|
Forest Roads
|
728
|
693
|
666
|
532
|
Total
|
7,771
|
2,028
|
3,279
|
3,711
|
To date this year, we have issued just under 3,000 licences and we expect to issue 4,000 by end-year. We would expect to exceed this years target of 4,000 licences in 2022. A more detailed projection will be finalised towards year end.