Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
117. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his policy in relation to ensuring an adequate supply of timber to the timber processing sector here; his policy for retaining employment in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48267/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to developing and managing Ireland’s forestry resource in a manner which will ensure sustainable output and growth into the future. The forestry and forest products sector employs nearly 12,000 people in Ireland and generates approximately €2.2 billion in annual output. Our approach to developing the sector is reflected in the budget allocation for 2012 of almost €112 million which is sufficient for the planting of close to 7,000 hectares of new forest plantations. Provision was also made in this budget for the building of in excess of 100 kilometres of forest roads to facilitate the extraction and supply of timber to the processing sector and other markets.
Total roundwood harvest during 2011 was approximately 2.7 million cubic metres. The All Ireland Roundwood Production Forecast , published by my Department in 2011, estimates that annual net realisable roundwood volume production for the island of Ireland will increase to 6.17 million cubic metres by 2020. Of this, approximately 2.5 million cubic metres (c. 40%) is expected to come from private sector forests. These figures and particularly the increase in private timber production are excellent indictors for future growth in our forestry sector.
Furthermore in terms of downstream support for the industry, Teagasc has, to date, supported the establishment of 25 Farm Forest Producer Groups around the country to assist private forest owners in the management of the forests and the mobilisation of timber to the processing sector. In addition, the COFORD Council has convened a group comprising sawmillers, Coillte and private growers to examine wood mobilisation issues in the sector and this group will report in 2013.
Taken together, I believe that these policies, initiatives and funding will help ensure the continued supply of raw material to, and consequent retention of employment in, this important sector.
