Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
837. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of felling licenses and afforestation permits granted in total in 2019, 2020 and 2021, respectively in County Wexford; the number of applications outstanding or undecided for felling licenses and afforestation permits in each year in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11222/22]
View answerLast year, the Department issued a total of 4,050 forestry licences for afforestation, felling and roads, which was a 56% increase on 2020. A detailed licencing plan for 2022 has been published and is available at gov.ie - Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 (www.gov.ie). There is an overall target to issue 5,250 licences this year and main targets as follows:
- A higher priority will be given to afforestation licences for 2022 with a planned 107% increase in output up to 1,040.
- There will be a year-on-year increase of 48% of private felling, roads and afforestation files. Coillte felling licences will maintain the levels they achieved in 2021.
The number of private forestry licences issued 2019 – 2021 for County Wexford are shown below.
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Afforestation |
12 |
11 |
10 |
|
Forest Roads |
10 |
4 |
9 |
|
Tree Felling |
25 |
30 |
21 |
The number of applications awaiting decision are in the following table.
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Afforestation |
2 |
5 |
3 |
|
Forest Roads |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
Tree Felling |
13 |
25 |
29 |
