Holly Cairns
Question:1112. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure that there is sufficient firewood for domestic consumption in the country. [17260/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (1112)
Written answers
There is no reported shortage of wood material available to harvest. Ireland's forests have the capacity to produce in excess of 4 million cubic metres of roundwood each year and this supply is projected to increase to over 6 million cubic metres by 2030.
My Department does not control the market end use of roundwood. Forest owners decide on the best place to sell wood and this is based on a number of variables including price, size , location and species.
My Department does support the management of forests and the sustainable production of firewood. For example we provide financial supports for the thinning of broad-leaved forests and provide funding to construct forest roads to assist in harvesting. My Department also provides financial assistance to the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme (WFQA) which is an all-island scheme established to increase consumer confidence in wood fuel products sold in Ireland. Forest owners and forestry contractors, through sustainable forest management practices, produce renewable fuels such as firewood, wood chip, wood pellets, and wood briquettes. As the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme continues to grow, members provide consumers with a greater degree of confidence in providing quality certified wood fuel products available in Ireland. You may find suppliers of quality fuel wood on the following dedicated website of WFQA www.wfqa.org/firewood-suppliers-in-ireland.html.