Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
758. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to publish a report in relation to the recent correspondence of his Department to persons who have received afforestation licences but have not yet planted; if so, when he plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12565/22]
View answerMy Department issued 451 letters to landowners with approval for circa 3,800 hectares on 18th February and I am pleased to report that we have started to receive some responses. As the Deputy may be aware, the conversion rate from licencing to planting is very low which means that a disproportionate amount of processing effort both by the Department and the sector does not result in planting. Improving this conversion rate should be a priority both for the sector and the Department.
We very much hope that these landowners will consider using their licences to plant and we will be appreciative if those who make a different decision could advise us of the reasons why; such responses are of course entirely voluntary. We have to see what type of response we receive, but we will monitor all of these licences to see if they are used by their end date.
My Department will consider all feedback given, and will summarise in due course, and will determine whether there are any immediate follow-up actions or information we could make available which would address the concerns or reasons listed in responses. Any information gathered will also be considered as an input into considerations of the design of the next Forestry Programme.
