Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
2008. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the beneficiaries of payments or funding from COFORD in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15167/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COFORD Council is appointed by the Minister of State to advise on issues related to the development of the forest sector in Ireland. It's mission is to facilitate the development of the sector to provide the full range of economic, environmental and societal benefits to society and advocate good forest practice.
The COFORD Council does not have a budget or make payments to beneficiaries and operates as a forest stakeholder platform. The term of each COFORD Council is approximately three years with a number of working groups established to make recommendations on a range of thematic areas.
The COFORD Council role can be summarised as follows;
1. To advise the Ministers of Agriculture, the Department on issues related to the development of the forest sector in Ireland
2. To make recommendations and monitor progress on recommendations from published COFORD reports
3. To provide advice to the Department on research and development and propose initiatives and projects for consideration in DAFM competitive calls
4. To publish COFORD statements on issues supporting the development of forestry in Ireland which are representative of the views of the Council.
5. To provide advice/ and or engage with other Government Departments and public bodies when requested by or with the agreement of the Minister of Agriculture Food and Marine and/or DAFM
On a case-by-case basis, my Department does provide some funding to facilitate the work of individual COFORD working groups where specific needs are identified as being necessary for their work. This information is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy separately.
