Written Answers Nos. 665-682
665. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposed amendment to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 to remove disincentives against the rental of vacant properties by participants in the fair deal scheme; the way that appropriate safeguards for vulnerable older persons will be incorporated into that amendment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3281/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Home Support Scheme (NHSS), commonly referred to as 'Fair Deal', is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. The primary legislation underpinning the NHSS is the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009. Participants in the NHSS contribute to the cost of their care according to their means while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
The Department of Health has agreed to action 19.8 in the Housing for All Strategy to develop a mechanism in relation to the rental of vacant properties "in a way that is targeted, equitable, evidence-based and provides appropriate safeguards for vulnerable older people". It is important to note that complex policy questions remain in meeting these criteria and there are high risks associated with unintended consequences. Due care needs to be taken to ensure that any changes to the scheme are appropriate and will protect and meet the needs of nursing home residents while also making provision for those in need of housing.
The NHSS is a complex €1.4 billion Scheme that relies on €350m of contributions from over 22,000 residents. It is important to ensure that the costs, benefits, and unintended consequences of any policy changes are fully understood and resolved before they are put in place.
Work continues within the Department of Health on this policy, in collaboration with the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This includes the identification of the number of houses that may be brought into use and the costs associated with the policy options available to address this action. Legislation will be introduced as soon as possible once this analysis and policy development is complete.
666. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the number of primary school children who missed dental screenings due to external circumstances such as school building closures and redeployment of staff that will be accommodated in the future. [3600/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
667. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of civilian and Garda ministerial drivers in his current corps of drivers; the breakdown of the civilian versus Garda drivers; and the total costs including salaries, maintenance, fuel and so on incurred by the driver corps in 2020 and 2021. [3970/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Guidelines for Ministerial Appointments for the 33rd Dáil as published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform there were two civilian drivers employed by the Department in respect of the Minister for Health in 2020 and 2021. No Garda drivers were assigned to the Minister for Health during that period.
The salary for civilian drivers is €733.92 PPC per week since 1st October 2021. The drivers work on a week on/week off basis. The total costs excluding employer PRSI for the civilian drivers for the Minister for Health in 2020 was €36,748.06 and in 2021 was €85,094.13.
Costs associated with maintenance of the vehicle, fuel etc. are met by the registered owner, in this case the Minister for Health. The Minister for Health can claim travel expenses for official travel in his own vehicle at approved civil service rates.
In January 2022 two Garda drivers and a vehicle were assigned by an Garda Síochána to provide these services for the Minister and will replace the services of the civilian drivers.
668. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of reconstitution and underplanting scheme applications submitted to his Department in 2021; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that no approvals for the scheme were issued in 2021, given many section 5 exemptions were forwarded by farmers as requested by his Department; the reason no reconstitution and underplanting scheme approvals were issued in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2874/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2021, my Department received 310 applications under the scheme for 1,341ha. It is not true to say that no decisions were issued for this Scheme in 2021, as 165 applicants received approval to manage 488ha of ash plantations.
An issue that has arisen with the scheme is that many applications where the applicant has proposed to replace the ash crop with conifer species require Planning Permission from the Local Authority in addition to approval from DAFM. My officials are currently engaging with their counterparts in DHLGH to reassess this requirement. This work is ongoing.
669. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation licences issued in 2021; the total number of hectares planted; the number of afforestation licences issued by county; the number of hectares planted by county from January 2021 to December 2021; if he is satisfied with the number of hectares planted in 2021; his plans to expand afforestation in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2880/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department issued 4,050 forestry licences this year, which is an increase of 56% on the number issued in 2021. In terms of afforestation, licences issue remained static with 502 afforestation licences issued for 4,245 hectares. We must improve on this, and we will shortly publish licence projections for 2022 which will prioritise increasing the number of afforestation licences issued.
The number of hectares of new afforestation planted, as determined by payments made, is disappointing at 2,016 hectares. It is worth noting that there is approximately 5,000 hectares of approved land that is available to plant. I would strongly encourage those landowners with valid licences to consider planting in order to avail of the generous premiums available, which can complement a productive farming enterprise.
A greater concern for all of us must be that the number of afforestation applications has continued its downward decline in 2021. Reversing this trend requires a concerted effort now from everybody with an interest in seeing more trees planted in Ireland. 2022 will be a big year for farmers in particular with the arrival of a new CAP and new Forestry Programme and it’s important that the benefits of afforestation are well understood by them.
My Department is, as always, ready to play its part and assist in improving communications. We understand of course that improved licensing output has a role to play hence the importance attached to improved licensing output in 2022. But positive messaging around the benefits of afforestation is the responsibility of all, particularly those with a direct line of communication to farmers and landowners.
A preliminary breakdown of new afforestation paid for in 2021 by county is indicated in the following table.
|
HECTARES GRANT-AIDED |
|
|
CARLOW |
9.21 |
|
CAVAN |
160.31 |
|
CLARE |
174.24 |
|
CORK |
343.36 |
|
DONEGAL |
22.24 |
|
DUBLIN |
0.00 |
|
GALWAY |
144.20 |
|
KERRY |
121.25 |
|
KILDARE |
41.68 |
|
KILKENNY |
54.64 |
|
LAOIS |
4.84 |
|
LEITRIM |
98.15 |
|
LIMERICK |
60.08 |
|
LONGFORD |
70.21 |
|
LOUTH |
0.00 |
|
MAYO |
119.03 |
|
MEATH |
43.87 |
|
MONAGHAN |
16.56 |
|
OFFALY |
24.61 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
190.36 |
|
SLIGO |
91.90 |
|
TIPPERARY |
31.51 |
|
WATERFORD |
33.12 |
|
WESTMEATH |
48.95 |
|
WEXFORD |
14.63 |
|
WICKLOW |
97.53 |
|
Total |
2,016.48 |
We will continue to promote forestry and to encourage farmers in particular to look at what afforestation can bring to their farming enterprise. We are also introducing a legislative change, which is currently going through the Houses of the Oireachtas, which will facilitate small scale tree planting without the need for a licence.
Increasing the area under forestry is a shared endeavour and we will are also looking for public bodies with suitable and available land to consider planting native woodlands.
Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has overall responsibility for the sector, I am committed to ensuring that the licensing system can support a healthy afforestation programme and I would ask all sectors involved in forestry to promote its multi-functional benefits.
670. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is instructing his officials to make the necessary arrangements with their counterparts in other Departments to enable work permits to be issued to persons from countries outside of the European Union as is occurring in other industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2890/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraArising from ongoing engagement with sector stakeholders, my Department is in regular contact with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) regarding the labour shortages that exist in certain sub-sectors of agri-food.
The Deputy will be aware that DETE has lead responsibility for this issue and late last year announced the outcome of the most recent review of the lists for permits with new quotas of 1,000 for Horticulture Operatives, 500 for Meat Deboners, 1,500 for Meat Processing Operatives, 100 for Dairy Farm Operatives and 100 for Work Riders.
This is one method for helping to fill labour shortages, but my view is that it should be considered as a last resort. In advance of this, the Department of Social Protection are involved in helping employers recruit from the domestic and European labour market, supplemented through initiatives such as ‘Help2Harvest’. Sectors also need to have appropriate labour attraction and retention policies in place.
The new Food Vision 2030 strategy includes a goal to “Attract and Nurture Diverse and Inclusive Talent” and this recommends five actions for the sector: employers in the agri-food industry will develop an education, skills and talent attraction and retention strategy; they will ensure decent work and address labour shortages; education and training programmes, including new apprenticeships, will be kept under review to ensure they respond to needs such as in the areas of environmental sustainability; they will promote and improve gender balance at all levels, but particularly at senior management and board level; and they will promote and develop initiatives to improve diversity and inclusion.
The Food Vision High Level Implementation Committee, which I chair, will provide leadership in progressing the missions and actions set out in the Food Vision strategy.
671. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will produce projections on the number of licences by category (details supplied); if it is accepted these are voluntary applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2891/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department issued 4,050 forestry licences this year, which is an increase of 56% on the number issued in 2021, and met our revised target of 4,000 licences. It is our intention to build on this momentum in 2022 and we will shortly publish projections for the year in a new licencing plan.
672. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his officials have concluded discussions and arrived at a successful outcome with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding the issue of the requirement for planning permission on dead, dying and rotting ash crops as committed to by the Secretary General of his Department at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2892/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department's Forestry related Circular 5 of 2021 outlines the advice my Department received from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in relation to the “replacement of Broadleaf High Forest with conifer species”.
The Circular outlined the situations where planning permission from the Local Authority is required when replacing Broadleaf High Forest with Conifer species and when planning permission is not required.
My Department's officials are continuing to engage with their counterparts in Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on this issue as outlined at the meeting with the Oireachtas Committee. This engagement is around exploring my Departments proposal to become the sole consent authority for these activities. This will take some time as it will require agreement in principle and legislative changes.
Meanwhile the Department is continuing to process applications under the Department's Reconstitution and Underplanting (Ash Dieback) Scheme, where it can.
673. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 9 December 2021, if the payment process for the payment of ecological reports has been fully agreed with the relevant working group in Project Woodland; if the working group is fully supportive of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2893/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has recognised the increased cost of compliance for applicants through the introduction of a higher grant payable at the Form 2 stage in the process i.e. after the site is planted.
For a variety of reasons the new grant is not what was postponed by the working group but is designed to make a contribution to those costs as quickly and efficiently as possible.
In addition, my Department is continuing in parallel to explore the feasibility of developing another system for such payments more closely aligned to that proposed by working group 4.
This will need to examine the resource and system implications of such a system which could be large in the context of other priorities this year for my Department. It is our intention to present our preliminary findings to an upcoming meeting of the Project Woodland Project Board most likely in March.
674. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the projected number of ecologists required to deliver an 8,000-hectare afforestation based on output of licences per ecologist in 2021 when considering the existing conversion rates from approval to planting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2900/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department issued 4,050 new licences in 2021. By way of comparison this is 56% higher than the 2020 figure. 2021 marks a turning point for forest roads and private felling as the number of forest roads licensed is the highest on record and the number of private felling licences is the second highest over the last five years. In relation to afforestation 476 applications were received and 502 licences were issued for 4,246 hectares in 2021. The Department is committed to a significant increase in afforestation licences in 2022.
The issuing of licences, depending on the complexity, requires input from a range of Department staff including Forestry Inspectors, Ecologists, Archaeologists and Administrative staff. Some licences will require more attention from one of these groups than others depending on the complexity of the licence. The ecological input required will depend on the individual circumstances in each licence application
My Department keeps all forestry staffing under continuous review. Recently the Department issued a Request for Tender for Ecological services. This will give the Department more flexibility in hiring additional ecologists, where needed, during 2022.
There are of course other factors which can influence licensing output and an external regulatory review is currently underway under Project Woodland with the report due next month. This review will determine whether there are better ways of processing licence applications while also having regard for existing legal frameworks, judical precedents and relevant Commission guidelines.
I would also add the importance of good quality applications from foresters in this regard. As always my Department remains available to provide the necessary training and guidance if needed to help improve the quality of applications.
675. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has ensured the full integration and compatibility of afforestation and the afforestation scheme into the next Common Agriculture Policy which is a programme for Government commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2901/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to a new national Forestry Programme for the period 2023-2027 which will be the main implementation vehicle of the new Forest Strategy.
A new Forest Strategy is currently being developed as part of the work done in Project Woodland, including an extensive public engagement strategy which has already commenced.
This new Forestry Programme will focus on the importance of climate smart forestry and new afforestation will be encouraged in pursuit of commercial, climate, water, and biodiversity objectives. The new Forestry Programme will again be funded nationally and will be subject to State Aid approval by the European Commission.
Trees sequester carbon and have significance importance in the fight against climate change. In accordance with the target’s set out in the Climate Action Plan, the Government will continue to promote afforestation to increase planting to a rate consistent with realising our 2030 climate ambition and to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality no later than 2050.
To achieve this, my Department fully recognises the need for afforestation to be complimentary to CAP.
As outlined in the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) tree planting actions have been included in both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2. The new Eco-Scheme (Pillar 1) includes a tree planting option as part of the menu of options that farmers can choose from. The Pillar II Agri-Environment Climate Measure (AECM) includes significant tree planting actions for specific objectives, such as riparian buffers for water quality, in belts for ammonia capture near the farmyard or in rows, groups or as parkland. In addition, the AECM actions also include a farm sustainability review in which farmers can discuss a plan for their whole farm, including the identification of areas suitable for tree planting. In cases where farmers show an interest in planting trees on an area exceeding 0.1ha, the individual farmer will be encouraged to consider entering the afforestation scheme under the National Forestry Programme.
I would also like to point out that it is my objective to increase and encourage interest in small scale planting by removing the licensing requirement for areas not greater than one hectare, which may prove to be a barrier to such planting and be considered onerous and complex. Such an exemption would be available as part of a scheme which my Department intends to design and implement once the required legislative change is in place; the required amendment to the Forestry Act 2014, is currently moving through the Houses of the Oireachtas through the vehicle of the Animal Health and Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.
676. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the real inflation adjusted increase or decrease in the afforestation grant for all global product classification categories for each year from 2000 to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2902/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current national Forestry Programme 2014-2020 (extended to end 2022) provides significant supports for afforestation and includes 12 different Grant and Premium Categories (GPC) to promote a good species mix and covers 100% of the cost of establishing a forest.
Grant payments are made on a flat rate per hectare basis. The scheme also pays an annual premium to the landowner of up to €680 per hectare payable each year for 15 years.
The Forestry Programme periods follow the relevant CAP programming periods and support forestry as a viable land use option which can complement existing farming enterprises and contribute to the diversification of farming income.
The current Programme was subject to a midterm review in 2018 which assessed the rates of grants and premiums for all forestry schemes. Current costs of forestry operations are considered by my Department when setting and updating the grant rates for the Afforestation Scheme. The following table shows the relevant afforestation grant rates offered by my Department in the various Forestry Programmes that were in place from 1998 to 2022:
|
GPC |
Total Grant Available €/ha 1998-2001 |
Total Grant Available €/ha 2001-2007 |
Total Grant Available €/ha 2007-2011 |
Total Grant Available €/ha 2011-2015 |
Total Grant Available €/ha 2015-2018 |
Total Grant Available €/ha 2018-2022 |
|
GPC 1 – Unenclosed |
€1,467 |
€2,730 |
€3,414 |
€2,400 |
€2,600 |
€2,740 |
|
GPC 2 - Sitka spruce / Lodgepole pine |
€1,619 |
€2,730 |
€3,414 |
€3,300 |
€3,545 |
€3,705 |
|
GPC 3 – 10% Diverse Conifer e.g. Sitka spruce and 10-15% broadleaves |
€1,714 |
€2,857 |
€3,573 |
€3,400 |
€3,650 |
€3,815 |
|
GPC 4 – Diverse Conifer e.g., Scots pine, Douglas Fir |
€1,943 |
€3,174 |
€3,927 |
€3,700 |
€3,965 |
€4,310 |
|
GPC 5 – Broadleaf e.g. sycamore |
€2,857 |
€4,952 |
€5,200 |
€5,200 |
€5,435 |
€5,880 |
|
GPC 6 – Oak |
€3,524 |
€6,349 |
€6,920 |
€5,500 |
€5,750 |
€6,220 |
|
GPC 7 – Beech |
€3,809 |
€6,730 |
€7,604 |
€5,500 |
€5,750 |
€6,220 |
|
GPC 8 – Alder and Birch |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
€3,700 |
€3,860 |
€4,195 |
|
GPC 9- Native Woodland Establishment (oak-birch-holly-hazel) |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
€5,750 |
€6,220 |
|
GPC 10- Native Woodland Establishment (alder-oak woodland) |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
€5,435 |
€5,880 |
|
GPC 11 - Agro-forestry |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
€4,450 |
€6,220 |
|
GPC 12 – Forestry-for-Fibre |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
€2,450 |
€3,815 |
677. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether there is an immediate need to increase the afforestation grant in line with the recent increase in the TAMS grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2903/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, Project Woodland was established in February 2021 to ensure that the current licensing backlog is addressed and that a new impetus is brought to woodland creation in Ireland.
A national shared vision for the future of Ireland's trees and forests and a new Forestry Strategy are currently being developed by Working Group 2 of Project Woodland. This new Forest Strategy will underpin a new Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027.
An extensive public consultation process on the new strategy has commenced and stakeholders will have an opportunity to raise any issues that they feel need to be addressed with my Department.
Work on the next Forestry Programme will include a review of grant rates and my Department will examine current forestry operational costs during that process.
678. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the relevant stakeholders will be consulted on the forestry report being compiled by a person (details supplied) in order to ensure that the report is as comprehensive as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2907/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a procurement process involving a Request for Tenders (RFT) Philip Lee has been hired by the Department to provide planning, environmental and legal expertise to review the regulatory framework for licensing of forestry activities within which DAFM operates and advise the Board of Project Woodland on potential new efficiencies arising within the regulatory and statutory framework for the forestry industry.
As the successful tenderer, Philip Lee is required to
a) review and critically analyse the existing statutory framework for the licensing of forestry activities
b) recommend practical and implementable options for streamlining processes and procedures
c) consider arrangements (legal, procedural and operational) in a selected agreed sample of EU Member States with comparable clear felling and afforestation deliverables and include within the options at (b) recommendations from the lessons learned from those other jurisdictions and what practices and procedures can be implemented by DAFM,
d) include provision for: i. differentiating projects based on scale, location, type, ownership type, etc and
ii. single consent/permit/licence or authorisation to cover all activities required to be licensed and
e) evaluate and provide recommendations in relation to current standard 15km radius for AA and, if necessary, recommend other practical approaches to screening based on EU law requirements.
As part of this process Philip Lee is consulting widely. This includes regular updates to the Project Woodland Project Board, all Working Groups associated with Project Woodland and bilateral meetings, on request, with key stakeholders. A number of these meetings have taken place to date and will continue throughout the process.
679. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consult with farming organisations that are currently undertaking a survey on forestry management in other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2908/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, a national shared vision for the future of Ireland's trees and forests and a new Forestry Strategy are currently being developed as part of the work carried out in Project Woodland.
This new Forest Strategy will underpin a new Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027. An extensive public consultation process on the new strategy has commenced and I would encourage anyone interested in forestry to participate in this process.
Direct bilateral meetings between my Department and key stakeholders have commenced as part of this engagement exercise, and invites continue to issue to stakeholders on an ongoing basis. Farmers, as the main private landowners, are, of course, key in this process and farming organisations have therefore been identified as key stakeholders for direct engagement and dialogue.
My Department looks forward to meeting with farming representatives to listen to their views on the proposed draft Vision; learning what their vision for trees and forests is and understanding how their organisation can help to deliver the Vision and Strategy.
The new national Forestry Programme for the period 2023-2027 will be the main implementation vehicle of the new Forest Strategy and these bilateral meetings will therefore also be an opportunity for participants to inform my Department what their priorities are for the next Forestry Programme. Bilateral meetings are expected to be completed by May 2022.
In the coming months, my Department is planning to also make available an online public consultation facility where stakeholders can provide more detailed written submissions regarding the new Vision and Forest Strategy. I encourage all farming organisations to engage with this process so that the new Vision for forests is one that is representative of the whole of Irish society.
680. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if guidance on the legislation governing limitations on common ragwort, field thistle, spear thistle, broad-leaved dock and curled dock will be provided; and his plans to review these limitations given the value of these plants to Ireland's biodiversity and broader ecosystem. [2936/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for overseeing the control and the prevention of the spread of certain weeds under the Noxious Weeds Act, 1936. It is an offence for the owner/occupier of lands not to prevent the growth and spread of noxious weeds. Owners and occupiers of land must ensure that they abide by the provisions in the Act.
The following weeds are listed in the Act: Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris ), Thistle, Dock, Common barberry, Male wild hop plant, Wild oat.
Information on Noxious Weeds and guidance notes on best practice for control are available on the gov.ie website.
There were a number of reasons for the specific designating of noxious weeds under the Act. By way of example, Ragwort is a highly poisonous plant, and it can cause serious damage to the liver of farm animals. The only way to safeguard against loss from ragwort poisoning is to eradicate the weed either by pulling, ploughing, cutting or chemical control. Where noxious weeds are not controlled, seeds can spread to adjoining lands, thereby causing further infestation.
There are no plans at present to review the noxious weeds act but I will be keep this under close consideration.
681. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for excluding the Slievethoul and Saggart Hill forests from the conversion process to multi-generational broadleaf forests under the Dublin Mountains Makeover initiative run by Coillte Nature; if he will consider including these forests in the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2940/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and as such is operationally independent from my Department. I have therefore referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
682. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Coillte road licences issued on the forestry licensing dashboard on week 2 January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3000/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra702. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of private roads issued on the forestry licensing dashboard on week 2 January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3469/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 702 together.
For week ending 14th January, my Department issued 18 forest road licences, 7 of these were from Coillte Teo and the remaining 11 were private applicants.
The number of road licences issued in 2021 was 671 in respect of 264 kilometres which is double the target in the Climate Action Plan 2021. We intend to build on this momentum and are currently finalizing a forestry licensing plan for 2022, which will include targets across all categories including forest road licences.
Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, I remain fully committed to delivering a licensing system which will meets the needs of the sector and of society and recent licensing trends demonstrate that we making progress towards achieving this
