Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2023
325. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the 7,343 hectares referred to by his Department as ready for planting is based on a 100% conversion rate, with the assumption that every licence issued gets planted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3854/23]
View answer326. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 1,005 afforestation contracts described by his Department as ready for planting were approved within the timelines set out in the farmer's charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3855/23]
View answer329. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the length of time each of the 1,005 unused afforestation licences were with his Department awaiting a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3868/23]
View answer330. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dates each of the 1,005 unused afforestation licences were approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3869/23]
View answer332. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentages by year for when the 1,005 unused afforestation licences were issued in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3871/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 325, 326, 329, 330 and 332 together.
The Deputy may be aware that those who receive afforestation licences have three years within which to proceed to planting.
Afforestation is demand-led and there may be various reasons why landowners may choose not to plant trees, such as competing uses for the land.
Some 1,007 approved afforestation contracts with over 7,000 ha are ready for planting. We have written to applicants with unused licences to remind them that their licence is still valid and that they now have the opportunity to plant under the Interim Afforestation Scheme ( via De Minimis) or to transition into the new Forestry Programme 2023- 2027 when it launches.
The Department is also extending valid unused Afforestation licences until the end of 2023 to give landowners every opportunity to plant.
Based on previous experience, we know there is not 100% conversion rate for every unused licence, however I would be hopeful that the increased premium rates of between 46% and 66% now offered along with a longer term of 20 years for farmers will encourage strong uptake.
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 Deputy may be aware the Farmer's Charter refers to approvals of valid afforestation and roads applications within 10 weeks, except where consultation is required under law; 14 to 18 weeks in these cases where practicable. We are therefore providing figures against a 120-day timeline (four months) as all licences require consultation.
The table below outlines the years these licences were received, approved, the percentage approved and the number approved within and outside of the time-frame of 120-days. As outlined below, 57% of the 1,007 valid licences were approved in 2022.
|
Year |
Received |
Approved |
% of total 1007 Approved per year |
<120 days |
>120 days |
|
2018 |
41 |
0 |
41 |
||
|
2019 |
243 |
0 |
11 |
232 |
|
|
2020 |
337 |
186 |
18.5% |
41 |
296 |
|
2021 |
269 |
247 |
24.5% |
37 |
232 |
|
2022 |
117 |
574 |
57% |
35 |
82 |
|
Total |
1007 |
1,007 |
100% |
124 |
883 |
Since the introduction of increased public consultation requirements in 2021 forestry licence applications are subject to an initial 30-days public consultation, during which submissions are accepted from interested parties, and a further 30 day public consultation is undertaken if further environmental assessments are required. This has unavoidably impacted processing times.
I am committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade.
