Forestry Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2021

Tuesday, 14 December 2021

Ceisteanna (768)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

768. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an application before the Forest Service by persons (details supplied) submitted on 20 October 2020 is still awaiting a decision and is being delayed by the NPWS which apparently has no wildlife ranger in place to provide a report; the action he is taking to deal with the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61323/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme was submitted on behalf of the persons named in October, 2020. The application was referred to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

As the site is partly within a designated site, the Department is obliged to seek specific approval from NPWS. This approval is currently awaited and we have issued another reminder to the NPWS to give us their opinion as it is overdue.