Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
837. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the hectares of afforestation applications submitted to his Department in each of the years 2014 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15785/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department makes available various forestry statistics on its website, particularly the Forestry Divisional Monthly Reports, which may be found here gov.ie - gov.ie - Forestry Division Monthly Reports (www.gov.ie)
The table below shows the applications received in hectares from 2014 to 2021.
|
Year |
Hectares of Afforestation applications received |
|
2014 |
17,594 |
|
2015 |
15,855 |
|
2016 |
13,280 |
|
2017 |
11,483 |
|
2018 |
8,623 |
|
2019 |
7,756 |
|
2020 |
7,070 |
|
2021 |
4,606 |
There are a variety of reasons why there has been a decline in the number of afforestation applications in recent year. Interest in afforestation has been impacted by the complexity of the legal and administrative system, judicial decisions, the efficiency of the forestry licensing system, the appetite among landowners to convert land to afforestation usage and, in some areas, complex societal attitudes and responses to afforestation. Both myself and Minister Hackett are very conscious of the need to increase afforestation rates given the target of 8,000 hectares set out in the Climate Action Plan .
We have focussed on addressing the licensing issue and on looking to the future of trees and forests in Ireland under the framework of Project Woodland.
The licensing situation is improving as a result of increased investment in resources and a continual improvement in processes. We issued 4,050 licences in 2021 and intend to increase this to 5,250 in 2022. We aim to more than double the number of afforestation licences to 1,040 and this should have the effect of encouraging confidence in the system.
Of course last year 502 afforestation licences issued for 4,246 hectares, but only 2016 hectares were planted. This low conversion rate is a challenge. There are currently 5,200 ha in the system, which have a valid approval, but have not gone ahead to planting. We have written to applicants with unused licences to remind them that their licence is still valid and to encourage them to consider using them before their approval lapses.
Communication and positive messaging about the benefits of afforestation is crucial. On most farms, planting can comfortably co-exist with livestock enterprises and can significantly increase the net income from the holding. We must work together to communicate this positive message consistently.
There is also an opportunity to contribute to the shared national vision for forestry by mean of the online public consultation which was launched on 16th March, 2022.
