Written Answers Nos. 751-770
751. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the project manager of (details supplied) completed the duration of his agreed contract or finished in his role prematurely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24099/22]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine procured an external project manager for Project Woodland, who has recently retired. A replacement project manager is expected to be appointed imminently.
752. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Coillte road licences issued in the week 5 of April dashboard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24100/22]
View answerForest road applications are received and decided daily. Applications received from Coillte are treated the same as applications from private individuals.
For week ending 29 April, 10 forest road licences were issued to private applicants and six were issued to Coillte.
753. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of recommendations in the Mackinnon Report which have been implemented to date; the expected timeline for the implementation of each of the outstanding recommendations of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24101/22]
View answerImplementation of the Mackinnon report is well under way through Project Woodland, which was established by, Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsiblity for the sector, over a year ago to improve the licensing system and deal with the backlog, and to drive forward the planting of trees under a shared vision for forestry in Ireland.
I am pleased to report that progress has been made.
All recommendations are actively in progress, with some completed, and I attach a table with a detailed update on each. I will take this opportunity to summarise progress on specific items.
An end-to-end review of the licencing process has been completed and recommendations arising from that review have moved to the implementation stage.
The consultation on the new Forestry Strategy is underway, with a public attitudes survey and a community engagement survey already completed while bilateral engagement with key stakeholders is nearing completion for widespread engagement.
Over 3,000 submissions have been received on an online public consultation on the future of forests in Ireland, which closed for submissions on 27th April. These submissions will be examined in detail over the next few weeks and will feed in to the formation of the new Forestry Strategy and Programme which are due for completion by the end of 2022.
A deliberative dialogue on our forests took place last week, chaired by Helen Carroll of Ear to the Ground. It was a similar format to the citizens assembly, consisting of 99 citizens representing the general demographic of our population and again, output from this event will feed into the new Strategy and Programme.
The forestry licencing plan for 2022 details a range of forestry priorities for 2022, the delivery of which will reduce the backlog.
A more detailed update on progress under each of the Mackinnon recommendations is contained in the attached table.
754. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the stocking rates that one needs to qualify for ANC 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24106/22]
View answer756. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the stocking rates that one needs to qualify for ANC 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24108/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 754 and 756 together.
In 2022, the stocking requirement for the Areas facing Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme is 0.15 livestock units per hectare (LU/Ha). Details of the stocking requirements, including the livestock unit values applicable to the 2022 ANC scheme, are set out in the terms and conditions of the scheme which are available on the Department’s website at: www.gov.ie/en/service/13d971-areas-of-natural-constraint-scheme/.
Under Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), from 2023 it is proposed to implement a minimum stocking requirement as an eligibility requirement for the ANC scheme, as part of the active farmer check, in one of the agricultural practices in the eco-scheme and in the new Organic Farming Scheme.
It is proposed in Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan that the minimum stocking requirement check in the CSP will be largely based on the current ANC check, which many farmers are familiar with. In the ANC scheme, participants are currently required to maintain an annual average minimum stocking density per forage hectare calculated over the 12 months of the calendar year. Participants must also meet a minimum retention period of seven consecutive months.
From 2023, it is proposed that the livestock unit coefficients to be used for the minimum stocking requirements will be amended to match the current Eurostat livestock coefficients. Based on these new Eurostat coefficients, it is proposed the minimum stocking requirement would be set at 0.10 livestock
Units per hectare, reduced from the current minimum requirement of 0.15 livestock units per hectare. This will maintain the link with one ewe equivalent per hectare (1 Ewe = 0.10 LU) as it is in the current CAP. It should also be noted that a reduced stocking rate may apply where it is justified on environmental grounds.
This proposed change along with all the other elements of Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan is subject to approval by the EU Commission. The negotiations between the Department and the Commission are on-going.
755. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the stocking rates that one needs to qualify for the single farm payment 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24107/22]
View answerUnder Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), from 2023 it is proposed to use a minimum stocking requirement as an eligibility requirement for the ANC scheme, as part of the active farmer check, in one of the agricultural practices in the eco-scheme and in the new Organic Farming Scheme.
It is proposed in Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan that the minimum stocking requirement check in the CSP will be largely based on the current ANC check and most farmers farmers are familiar with this. In the ANC scheme, participants are currently required to maintain an annual average minimum stocking density per forage hectare calculated over the 12 months of the calendar year. They must also meet a minimum retention period of seven consecutive months.
From 2023, it is proposed that the livestock unit coefficients to be used for the minimum stocking requirements will be amended to match the current Eurostat livestock coefficients. Based on these new Eurostat coefficients, it is proposed the minimum stocking requirement would be set at 0.10 Livestock Units per hectare, reduced from the current minimum requirement of 0.15 livestock units per hectare.
This will maintain the link with the one ewe equivalent per hectare (1 Ewe = 0.10 LU) as it is in the current CAP. It should also be noted that a reduced stocking rate may apply where it is justified on environmental grounds.
This proposed change along with all the other elements of Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan is subject to approval by the EU Commission. The negotiations between the Department and the Commission are ongoing.
757. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the stocking rates a horse needs to qualify in calculating one's stocking rate for ANC or single farm payment if they need a valid passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24109/22]
View answerAs set out in the terms and conditions of the 2022 Areas of Natural Constraints scheme, applicants are required to satisfy minimum stocking requirements of 0.15 livestock units per eligible forage hectare for seven consecutive months within the 2022 calendar year and, also maintain an annual average stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per eligible forage hectare for the 2022 calendar year.
While horses are not automatically eligible for the stocking density calculation, equine breeding enterprises are eligible if the applicant is an equine breeder and have bred a foal, in either 2020 or 2021, from a mare registered as on the applicant’s holding in 2021, which was registered in a Stud Book approved by my Department, with pedigree recorded (sire and dam). In addition, the premises must be registered with my Department.
For equine breeding enterprises, the following equines are eligible for inclusion in the stocking density calculation:
- All equines aged one year to five years, (aged using 1st January), registered in a Stud Book approved by the Department, with pedigree recorded (sire and dam) and registered in the name of the applicant and maintained on his/her holding;
- Breeding mares, registered as having been on the applicant’s holding in 2021, which have bred a foal in either 2020 or 2021. Both the mare and the foal MUST be registered in a Stud Book approved by the Department.
All equines are required to have a valid passport in the applicant’s name. Where an equine is purchased it must have a valid passport at the time of purchase and same must be updated to the applicants name thereafter in accordance with the governing regulation. Equines will only be counted from the date of registration or transfer of ownership.
With effect from the 2022 ANC scheme year, applicants seeking to fulfil their stocking density requirements using horses must submit certified copies of the equine passports to the ANC section of my Department.
Where the above requirements are satisfied, each female or male horse has a value of 1.0 livestock unit for the 2022 scheme year. In 2022, the minimum stocking requirement applies to the ANC scheme only. There is no minimum stocking requirement for the 2022 Basic Payment Scheme.
Under Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), from 2023 it is proposed to implement a minimum stocking requirement as an eligibility requirement for the ANC scheme, as part of the active farmer check, in one of the agricultural practices in the eco-scheme and in the new Organic Farming Scheme.
It is proposed that the minimum stocking requirement check in the CSP will be largely based on the current ANC livestock requirements.
From 2023, it is proposed that the livestock unit coefficients to be used for the minimum stocking requirements will be amended to match the current Eurostat livestock coefficients. Based on these new Eurostat coefficients, it is proposed the minimum stocking requirement would be set at 0.10 Livestock Units per hectare, reduced from the current minimum requirement of 0.15 livestock units per hectare.
As part of this proposed change, the livestock unit value applicable to both horses and donkeys will change from the current livestock unit value of 1.0 livestock unit per hectare to 0.8 livestock unit per hectare.
This proposed change along with all the other elements of Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan is subject to approval by the EU Commission. The negotiations between my Department and the Commission are on-going.
758. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of forestry licences relating to afforestation, roads, the reconstitution and underplanting scheme, private felling, and Coillte felling; the percentage of target his Department are at in each category from 31 January 2022 to 30 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24124/22]
View answerThe Department issued 4,050 forestry licences last year, which is an increase of 56% on the number issued in 2020, and met our revised target of 4,000 licences. It is our intention to build on this momentum in 2022.
The Forestry Licensing Plan was published and commenced in January 2022. The Plan sets out a range of forestry priorities set to run for the whole of 2022.
The main priorities are:
- A target of 5,250 new licences to issue, which is a year-on-year increase of 30%.
- A higher priority will be given to afforestation licences for 2022 with a 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.
As can be seen in the table below, as of 6th May 2022 the projected target of year to date licences to be issued was 1,818 and the output of licences was 1,739.
|
Scheme |
Output YTD Licences |
Target YTD Licences |
Percentage Target YTD Licences |
|
Felling (Private) |
521 |
630 |
28.47% |
|
Felling (Coillte) |
734 |
540 |
47.97% |
|
Afforestation |
207 |
360 |
19.90% |
|
Roads |
277 |
288 |
32.59% |
|
Total (licences) |
1,739 |
1,818 |
33.12% |
A main priority of Forestry Licensing Plan is that my Department will refocus on the delivery of approvals from several schemes including Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) (Ash Dieback), the Reconstitution of Woodland Scheme (Frost) and the Native Woodland Scheme. To the 6thMay 2022 38 RUS licences have been granted.
The Department will continue to issue progress updates weekly through our forestry dashboard available here gov.ie - 2022 Forestry Weekly Dashboard (www.gov.ie). In addition my Department will issue a quarterly progress report for a comprehensive KPI update on implementation of the Licensing Plan.
759. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm receipt of a Beef Data and Genomics Programme appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will arrange for payment of the outstanding grant given the personal safety issues contained therein. [24195/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that a review request was submitted and has been processed in this case.
The person named was deemed to be non-compliant with the terms and conditions of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) scheme in 2021 in relation to the Stock Bull requirement. As a result of this, the person named did not receive a BDGP payment for 2021.
As set out in the Terms and Conditions of the scheme, for 2021, where participants used a stock bull they were required to have at least one stock bull on the holding on 30th June 2021 and the bull had to be genotyped 4 or 5 star on either the Terminal or Replacement index (on a within or across breed basis) at the time of purchase.
For applicants using Artificial Insemination (AI), at least 80% of the AI used on the participating holding must be from 4 or 5 star bulls on either the Terminal or Replacement index (on a within or across breed basis). Participants using both a stock bull(s) and AI had to comply with both requirements.
The person named used both a stock bull and AI for the 2021 scheme year. While he was compliant with the AI requirement, he did not have an eligible 4 or 5 star stock bull on his holding on 30th June 2021. Based on a submission made by the person named as part of the review process, my Department re-examined the case and the matter has now been resolved.
My Department will now make arrangements to processing the 2021 BDGP payment. The person named will be informed of this decision in writing.
760. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline details of the plans for the silage support scheme; and when it will be open for applications. [24233/22]
View answerOn 3rd May 2022, I brought a Memorandum for Information to Government on a proposed Fodder Support Scheme, in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 and the significant impact this has had on the cost of agricultural inputs required to conserve grass for silage and/or hay.
The scheme will require approval from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department is continuing to engage with that Department on the funding aspects of the scheme.
I expect to announce further details on the proposed scheme shortly. The aim of the scheme will be to support our farm families to save silage and hay this year to ensure that we have adequate stocks of fodder over the winter and spring.
This proposed Fodder Support Scheme is in addition to the €12.2 million Targeted Intervention Package I announced on 22 March 2022. That financial support, and those currently under discussion, will assist farmers in providing sufficient fodder for Winter 2022. I remain committed to standing by our farm families during this time of crisis.
761. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will assign an equal mackerel allocation of the per eligible boat around the coast using monthly fishery authorisations to under 15 metre boats on the Irish polyvalent general register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24343/22]
View answerManagement of the national mackerel quota is set down in Ministerial Policy. In accordance with policy, in 2022, 13% of the national annual mackerel quota (6,739 tonnes in 2022) is available for the polyvalent segment. An allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for smaller vessels (under 15 metre vessels) fishing for Mackerel by means of hooks and line is also set down in Policy in 2010. The 400 tonnes is taken off the top of the annual national quota and does not come out of the 13% polyvalent quota. The management policy for polyvalent vessels was put in place by the Minister in 2010 after a full review and public consultation. It recogonised the divergent interests of groups of fishing vessels, including their history in the fishery.
There are 4 categories of polyvalent vessels permitted to land mackerel:
1. and 2. Tier 1 and Tier 2 vessels
Mackerel Policy provides that 76.50% of the 13% (5,155 tonnes in 2022) is made available to 15 Tier 1 vessels, and 21% of the 13% (1,415 tonnes in 2022) is made available to 12 Tier 2 vessels. Access to Tier 1 and Tier 2 catch limits was determined using track record set down in 2010. Tier 1 and Tier 2 vessels receive a catch limit for the period 01 January to 30 November each year.
3. Under 18 metre vessels (including under 15 metre vessels) fishing for mackerel by means other than hook and line
The remaining 2.50% of the 13% quota available for polyvalent vessels (168 tonnes in 2022) is made available to under 18 metre vessels (including under 15 metre vessels) fishing for mackerel by means other than hook and line. Catch limits are set by monthly Fisheries Management Notice. The catch limit for the month of May is 3 tonnes. This catch limit is open to all polyvalent vessel under 18 metres in length overall fishing for mackerel by means other than hook and line.
4. Under 15 metre vessels fishing for Mackerel by means of hooks and line
The management arrangements, within national policy, for the mackerel hook and line fishery have been on the agenda and discussed with industry representatives at recent meetings of the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC). It is important to note that the remit of the QMAC is to examine and make recommendations within Ministerial policy. I asked the QMAC to examine measures to strengthen the management arrangements for the 2022 Mackerel hook and line fishery, within the policy, for my consideration.
A working group involving industry representatives recommended by the QMAC and the Department was formed and led to recommendations for the management of the 2022 Fishery which were supported by the QMAC and which I have approved. The arrangements involve:
- The available quota for the mackerel hook and line fishery for 2022 is 400 tonnes, in accordance with policy.
- The 2022 mackerel hook & line fishery opened by Fisheries Management Notice for all eligible vessels under 15 metres in length overall on 1st May 2022. Vessels equal to or greater than 10 metres in length overall must book-in to receive an authorisation for the fishery. Vessels under 10 metres in length overall are not required to book-in to the fishery.
- As a condition of their authorisation, vessels equal to or greater than 10 metres are required to hail quantities over 50kg to the Irish Fisheries Monitoring Centre. This requirement is included in the authorisation document.
- A catch limit of 3 tonnes for under 15 metre fishing boats fishing mackerel by means of hooks and lines has been set out in a Fisheries Management Notice for May.
- The fishery is to be closed by Fisheries Management Notice for the month of May when the Department has been advised by the SFPA that 150 tonnes has been taken.
- Remaining quota to be allocated across June and subsequent months. Recommendations on per vessel catch limits for June and subsequent months to be made at the relevant preceding Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC) meeting.
762. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dates in 2021 and to-date in 2022 that he has met the CEO and or equivalent from each State agency under the remit of his Department, in tabular form. [24394/22]
View answerI have had many interactions with the state agencies under my Departments aegis, including numerous calls and virtual meetings. The list below is of meetings I have had with the various CEO or senior officials of State agencies in the timeframe.
January 2021
8th SFPA
February 2021
10th Board Bia
17th SFPA
17th BIM
18th ALAB
March 2021
11th Board Bia
15th Teagasc
April 2021
21st HRI
July 2021
8th Coillte
October 2021
1st RCE
6th HRI
November 2021
11th Teagasc
December 2021
14th Teagasc
January 2022
13th Coillte
March 2022
15th Teagasc
April 2022
8th SPA
May 2022
5th Board Bia
11th National Stud
763. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the topical issue debate on 23 February 2022, if he has provided specific funding to Donegal County Council for the repair of Polawaddy slipway on Arranmore Island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24407/22]
View answerThe responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance. I am also mindful that the primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and any wider funding issues for local authorities should be addressed to that Minister. Additionally, responsibility for the development of the offshore Islands lies with the Minister for Rural and Community Development.
My Department is administering the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme 2022-2023. This scheme is being proposed for funding from the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve. Under the Scheme, my Department considers the applications made by and prioritised by the local authorities. Donegal County Council is poised to receive €14.46 million to undertake 15 projects based on the eligible project applications which the local authority itself identified and prioritised. Donegal County Council has not applied for funding under the BALAMI Scheme for Polawaddy slipway at this time.
Details of the funding allocated is available online at gov.ie- McConalogue announces approval of €31.7 million Brexit investment in Public Marine Infrastructure (www.gov.ie)
A further call for eligible projects is planned for later in the year to allocate remaining funding identified for the scheme. In the meantime I hope that each of the relevant local authorities is pressing forward with delivery of the approved projects so that the construction stimulus identified by the Seafood Taskforce is felt as soon as possible in coastal communities.
764. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the benefits and the consequences of farmers installing solar panels on commonage and in particular the impact on entitlements and payments. [24463/22]
View answerSupport under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is payable upon activation of an eligible hectare per payment entitlement.
In general terms, an eligible hectare is one that is used for an agricultural activity or, where the area is also used for a non-agricultural activity, is predominantly used for such activities. An area is predominantly used for agricultural activity, if that activity can be exercised without being significantly hampered by the intensity, nature, duration and timing of the non-agricultural activity.
While cases involving solar panels will be examined on an individual basis, solar panels will be considered as ineligible features within the eligible parcel. In general, parcels or parts of a parcel containing solar panels may be considered eligible but reductions must be made to the eligible area to take account of the impact of the panels on forage availability. If the effect of the solar panel, including the supporting structures, is to reduce the eligible area by 70% of the parcel or more, then a reduction of 100% is made for the area under the solar panels.
If this is a whole parcel, the parcel is deemed ineligible. If the impact on the eligible area is less than 70% of the parcel area an appropriate percentage reduction must be made. Appropriate reductions must also be made for other ineligible features within the parcel e.g. scrub, rock or hardcore including roadways.
In all cases, parcels containing solar panels will only be considered eligible where there is evidence that an agricultural activity takes place on the parcel(e.g. grazing with sheep). The solar panels must not hamper the agricultural activity. Such parcels must also comply with relevant Statutory Management Requirements and Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) standards.
With regard to potential impact on BPS entitlements it is important to note that a farmer must use all entitlements every 2 years. Therefore any reductions in eligible area arising from the installation of solar panels may impact the number of entitlements held after two years unless the farmer (a) obtains more land (b) leases out his entitlements, or (c ) sells the entitlements.
It is also worth noting that all agricultural land used to claim BPS must be owned/leased/rented and used and managed by the applicant. If the applicant is not the owner of the land, they must have a lease or rental agreement in place with the owner of the land. If a farmer retains ownership of the land, but leases it out to a third party, to install solar panels, the farmer must have a written agreement with the third party, to perform agricultural activities on the parcel concerned, in order for the parcel to be considered eligible. Such agreements must fulfil the land availability rules set down in the BPS terms and conditions. There must be independent and suitable access for animals for the farming enterprise being conducted. Independent access means access by public or private roadway or by a defined right of way. Access over adjoining landowners land, or over land which is subject to a lease or rental agreement to another person, is not acceptable.
Any decision to construct solar panels on a commonage is a matter for the owners of the commonage to consider, but all owners of the commonage where the lands are registered as a undivided shares would have to agree to such a proposal. Where the commonage share is based on a grazing right, the owner of the lands, along with all others with grazing rights would have to be consulted and agreement reached between all parties.
765. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rules, procedures and regulations regarding the training of wild hares for coursing for example running in the desired direction during trials. [24575/22]
View answerHare coursing is managed and regulated by the Irish Coursing Club under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC), subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann.
Hares can only be collected for coursing by clubs affiliated to the ICC, in accordance with the terms of licences granted by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (National Parks and Wildlife Service).
766. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rules, procedures and regulations regarding the length of time that a wild hare can be held in captivity for coursing. [24576/22]
View answerHare coursing is managed and regulated by the Irish Coursing Club under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC), subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann.
Hares can only be collected for coursing and subsequently released, by clubs affiliated to the ICC, in accordance with the terms of licences granted by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (National Parks and Wildlife Service).
767. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-expiry fish culture licences granted to date by his Department; the location relating to each licence granted; the date on which each licence was granted, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24616/22]
View answerThe detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in full within the timescale. Provision of the information sought will require an extensive examination of the Department’s records.
The information requested will be forwarded to the Deputy within 14 days.
768. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total shortfall of hectares of actual afforestation versus the Programme for Government targets for the past five years; the calculated loss of potential carbon capture as a result to 2030 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24658/22]
View answerOver the last five years, the target for afforestation was 38,750ha, which is made up of the most recent Forestry Programme target to establish 30,750ha from 2017 to 2020 and the Climate Action Plan 2019 target of 8,000 ha for 2021. Over this same 5-year time period, 17,562ha were actually planted, of which 75% were conifers and 25% broadleaves. The shortfall over the five-year period is 21,188ha.
The loss of carbon capture due to the shortfall by 2030 is estimated to be 0.39 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents in 2030. The total loss in afforestation removals is 2.21 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents for the 14-year period from 2017 to 2030. When considered over a longer 30-year time period to 2046, an estimated 7.85 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents could be lost.
769. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the projected afforestation levels for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24659/22]
View answerThe forest sector has an important part to play in meeting the ambitious roadmap towards climate neutrality by removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. As outlined in the Climate Action Plan 2021, Ireland aims to afforest 8,000ha annually to 2030.
In 2021, 2,016 hectares of afforestation was achieved in Ireland, of which 41% is broadleaf and 59% is conifer. The Forestry Licensing Dashboard shows that to the end of April this year 812ha have been afforested compared to 625ha in 2021, which is a 20% increase.
Afforestation is a voluntary land use choice for landowners and building confidence among landowners of the benefits of forestry will be key to increasing afforestation rates on recent low trends. The Forestry Programme has a wide range of generous grants and annual premiums that makes forestry an excellent land use option which can complement existing farming enterprises.
The Department and stakeholders are working together to deliver Project Woodland with a view to resolve the current difficulties in the forestry sector and revitalise the creation of forests in Ireland.
770. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the regulatory review of the forestry licensing system will be complete; the projected timeline to implement the recommendations of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24660/22]
View answerLast November, as part of Project Woodland, the Department engaged the services of an external body with expertise in legal and environmental legislation to conduct a legal and regulatory review of forestry licensing. This external review is currently being finalised and following extensive stakeholder consultation, the publication of the Philip Lee and Associates Regulatory review is expected in coming weeks.
An overview of the findings are included in a presentation made to the Forestry Policy Group on 6th April 2022, which is available on my Department's website.
