Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2021
636. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to comments by this Deputy in Dáil Éireann on 11 November 2021, the progress that is being made in relation to clearing the backlog of felling licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62882/21]
View answerTackling the backlog in forestry licenses remains a key priority for me, Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, and my Department and I am pleased to report significant progress has been made in the past year, particularly on felling and road licences.
The investment in resources and continual improvement has had a positive impact with a significant increase in licence output in recent months. This has brought our output to 3,894 licences issued to 10th December. I am confident that we will meet our target of 4,000 licences by year end which will be a 60% increase on last year.
My Department has issued 2,782 tree felling licences, for a volume of 8.133 million cubic metres. This is 60% higher than last year and the highest volume ever licensed in a single year.
We are making progress under Project Woodland. In terms of licensing, an important initiative is the in-depth review of the forestry licensing system being carried out by a consultant with legal and environmental expertise. It will review the existing statutory framework for the licensing of forestry activities in relation to environmental and public participation obligations in order that practical advice can be provided to the Department on how to work more efficiently within the existing legal framework. That report is expected at end February next.
We will build on this year’s momentum in 2022 and will implement all practical process improvements which result from the review and analysis in train under Project Woodland. I remain fully committed to delivering a licensing system which will meets the needs of the sector and of society.
