As the Deputy may be aware, Project Woodland was established in February last year to ensure that the current forestry licensing backlog is addressed and that a new impetus is brought to woodland creation in Ireland. A national shared vision for the future of Ireland's trees and forests and a new Forestry Strategy are currently being developed by Working Group 2 of Project Woodland. This new Forest Strategy will underpin a new Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027.
The Strategy will be based on a cross-society shared national vision for the role of trees and forests in Ireland. An extensive public consultation process on the new strategy has commenced and will shape this vision. This process will give all stakeholders, communities and citizens in general an opportunity to raise any issues that they feel need to be addressed with my Department.
A public consultation facility will be available online in the coming weeks to gather informed views from interested members of the public about the draft vision and on the forest strategy and I encourage the organisation named and others to engage in this process.
The Strategy will be based on a set of clear and implementable actions that support a sustainable forestry industry and delivers multiple benefits for our economy, environment and our communities.
In parallel with the development of the Forest Strategy an external legal and regulatory review, which will include a comparative analysis of the regulatory system in other counties is nearing completion, and I look forward to sharing the findings of this review with you soon.
A well-functioning licensing system is of course essential for achieving our afforestation targets While I recognise that the licensing situation still requires our full attention, it is also important to acknowledge that better results were achieved in 2021, with 4,050 licences having been issued, representing an increase of 56% on 2020. A total of 502 afforestation licences issued, facilitating the planting of over 4,255ha. The recently published licensing plan for 2022 sets an ambitious overall target of 5,250 licences, with a focus on increasing the number of afforestation licences.
In order to achieve the afforestation targets set out in the Climate Action Plan, it is essential to address the broader issue of increasing the level of interest in planting. I am particularly concerned about the low conversion rate to planting. We are currently writing to applicants with unused licences to remind them that their licence is still valid and to encourage them to consider using them before their approval lapses. It is important that positive messages around planting are communicated and this is the responsibility of all in the sector, especially those in direct contact with farmers and landowners.
The introduction of an amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 to facilitate small scale tree planting without the need for a licence may appeal to certain landowners and will widen the options available for planting.
I would also like to note that the national land use review which commenced earlier this year will provide us with information on the optimal land use options and its findings will inform all relevant land use policies.
I am fully committed to the delivery of a well-functioning licensing system which will underpin a new vision for a multi-functional sustainable forestry model focused on our mutual economic, environmental and recreational objectives.
