Verona Murphy
Ceist:656. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total area of afforestation planted in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49265/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 12 October 2021
Ceisteanna (656)
Freagraí scríofa
Forestry licences have a validity period of three years from the date of issue.
The final decision to plant trees, when a site is approved, rests with the landowner and the Scheme is voluntary. At present, there is 5,700ha available to plant, with a valid approval to do so. I would encourage any landowner with a valid approval to go ahead and plant.
The Department provides various forestry statistics, in its pages on the Government of Ireland website, including the areas of afforestation. In 2020, the Department paid for 2,433ha of newly established afforestation.