Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
1127. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of all forestry licence applications predating 2021 that are still to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37203/22]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) issued 5,310 forestry licences in 2019, 2592 in 2020 ( a year in which licence output was affect by court judgements which led to a very significant change in procedures and to delays) and 4,050 in 2022.
We have committed to issuing 5,250 in 2020 an increase of 30% on 2021 and as part of that output we are intend clearing older files ,where a valid application and all pertinent information is in place. According to Departmental records on 5th July 2022:
There are 465 felling applications, 301 forestry applications and 91 forest roads application predating 2021 are still to be decided upon. These include applications in relation to which further information is required from the applicant, or those DAFM has just received the necessary information, as well as those files entering into the 2nd period of 30 day consultation.
Licence applications with full information are being actively considered by my officials and once that Second period of 30 day consultation has been completed and provided there are no submissions from external parties, they can move to decision. In addition we are reviewing the very oldest applications and we will be writing to applicants to establish if these applications are still live.
