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Forestry Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 June 2021

Wednesday, 23 June 2021

Ceisteanna (314)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

314. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on and response to the Oireachtas committee on agriculture and the marine report on the issues impacting the forestry sector in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33925/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture met earlier this year and produced a report to which the Deputy refers in March, on issues impacting the forestry sector in Ireland.  I very much welcome the Committee's detailed consideration of these issues.  The report included a number of recommendations, to which my colleague Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, has responded directly.  

The majority of the recommendations made in the Committee's report are being addressed through the work of Project Woodland. This initiative aims to ensure that the current backlog in licensing is addressed and to bring a new impetus to woodland creation in Ireland.  It is based on the recommendations of Ms Jo O’Hara who had been asked to advise on the implementation of the Mackinnon Report, and involves a review and refresh of the Department’s processes and procedures through working groups comprised of a wide range of stakeholders.

It is a task-driven process, with clear deliverables and milestones and its implementation is well under way and is of highest priority to the Department.  The structure of Project Woodland consists of a Project Board and 4 Working Groups.

Two working groups are looking at the licensing situation. Working Group 1 is tasked with looking at the backlog. This Group has examined in detail the cases on hand and is producing specific recommendations for improving output. which will be brought to the Project Board for consideration.  Working Group 4 is concentrating on licensing process improvement. A business analyst has commenced work on an end-to-end process review.  In addition, proposals for a pre-application process and a planning grant  are under development  and will be submitted to the Project Board shortly. The Group is also actively considering how best to conduct a regulatory review of the licensing system.

Communication is another important aspect of Project Woodland and Working Group 3 is working on a new Customer Charter for forestry, and the development of a communication strategy.  A review of the organisational structure of the forestry division within the Department will also be carried out and the roles and interaction with COFORD, Teagasc and Coillte will be examined.

Working Group 2 is also developing a public engagement strategy as part of the development of the new Forest Strategy. It is envisaged that all stakeholders in the forestry sector as well as the general public will be included in this process, and this should help identify both opportunities and barriers to afforestation.  Furthermore, Irish Rural Link has been commissioned by Minister Hackett to conduct a study to determine the level  and type of engagement of communities with forestry and to make recommendations for the future.

The Forestry Policy group is meeting later this week at which a full update on progress to date will be provided to all stakeholders.

Minister Hackett's response to the Committee’s report also included the Department’s position on other issues raised, specifically questions on Ash Dieback disease and Dutch Elm disease. The Department has since presented to the Committee on its plans for licence delivery for the rest of the year and we will continue to engage with the Committee on its implementation.

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