Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2024
217. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 475 of 20 June 2023, if he intends this to only apply in situations where the licence has not been actioned (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19746/24]
View answerA replanting plan is set out in the application for a felling licence and is considered as part of the application assessment. Therefore, an applicant that holds a valid Felling licence will be aware of the replanting obligation attached to that licence. If the licence has been actioned then the applicant will have been obliged to adhere to the felling and replanting conditions of their Felling licence. They will not be eligible at that point to apply for a Forestry Grant for works that have already been carried out.
For clarity, in circumstances whereby the felling licence has not been actioned then the applicant may apply for an appropriate Forestry Scheme, for the same plot of land, and subject to meeting the conditions attached to that scheme, may seek to amend their felling licence and replanting plan where they are proposing to make a material change to the felling and replanting operations, and this will be considered by my Department.
One of the conditions of any scheme is prior written approval by my Department. For any queries in relation to a specific licence my officials can be contacted at forestryappenquiries@agiculture.gov.ie
