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Forestry Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021

Thursday, 21 October 2021

Ceisteanna (48)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

48. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the working groups dealing with the national forestry policy group; the progress that has been made in streamlining the licensing process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51683/21]

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Freagraí scríofa

The national Forestry Policy Group members comprise the membership of the four Working Groups under Project Woodland. Project Woodland is an initiative which was launched in February with the twin objectives of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the forestry licensing system and the creation of a shared vision for the creation of woodlands in Ireland.

I am pleased to report that substantial work has been undertaken by all Working Groups and the Project Board of Project Woodland, with regular meetings held resulting in a high level of output in both terms of quality and quantity.  The Project Board published its first Interim Report in July and agreed to advance two Working Group recommendations immediately: an external regulatory review and the conducting of a public consultation process on the new Forest Strategy.

The Department has selected a preferred bidder with legal and environmental expertise to carry out  the review of the regulatory system.

As regards the development of  a new national vision for Irish forestry,  a public consultation exercise has begun. A study on Community Engagement on Forestry and Woodlands is underway, a tender issued for the Strategic Environmental Analysis/Appropriate Assessment process and quotes sought for external consultants to conduct an omnibus survey of public attitudes to trees, woods and woodland. A tender will issue in the coming weeks for a public survey on the vision for forestry to 2050. Furthermore later this year and into 2022 bi-lateral stakeholder meetings will be held, deliberative dialogue  will be undertaken in the form of a national event, a Youth Forum will be convened and a National Stakeholder event will be scheduled.

In addition, an independent Systems Analyst is conducting an end-to-end process review with a view to licensing process improvement and an interim report on this work will be submitted to the Project Board in the near future.

There has been significant work carried out on all other aspects of Project Woodland too and updates on these be will contained  in the second interim report  of Project Board which will issue shortly. These include:

- A pilot project for pre-application discussions.

- Payment of an Environmental Planning Grant.

- A new Customer Charter for forestry.

- A Communication Plan that assists my Department in conveying the multi-functional benefits of forestry.

- A review of the organisational structure of forestry within my Department.

- Commission of a Training Needs analysis.

- Definition of the backlog and associated dashboards.

- Actions relating to reduction of the backlog.

Alongside Project Woodland, we continue to look at streamlining our processes. Changes were made to the way in which ecological reports were prepared, freeing up ecologists to spend more time to deal with the ecological assessment of the application.   

My officials also examined all licences referred to ecology.  This resulted in approximately 50% of felling  applications being returned to applicants or their Registered Forester, seeking further information, often a well-developed harvest plan.   

We have begun to receive responses to these requests and would urge all applicants and registered foresters to reply to our communication so that these cases may progress. In terms of afforestation licences it was found that just over 10% of 550 files have supporting ecology habitat information.  It was highlighted to forestry companies earlier in the summer they should examine their afforestation applications that are referred to the Ecology Unit, and to provide additional ecology information and engage an Ecologist as required.   

As regards road licences a cohort of these were also returned to registered foresters or applicants for further information. Good quality applications are an essential part of a functioning licensing system. 

While there are challenges in delivering licences, I am pleased to note that licensing output in September at 585 licences was the highest in any one month since April 2019 and we hope to sustain an increased level of output to year end.

In conclusion, I would like to recognise the momentum and progress made under Project Woodland and I acknowledge the commitment shown by all involved, particularly the representatives from the Forestry Policy Group who make up the membership of the Working Groups.   

Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has overall responsibility for the sector, I am committed to the success of this Project and by working together I believe we can deliver on its ambitions for the benefit of the forestry sector and society at large.

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