Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
861. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of private felling licences issued per week for the month of April 2022, in tabular form; the number of such felling licences approved which were subject to a field inspection by the local district inspector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23040/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data for the number of private felling licences per week for the month of April is published in a Forestry Dashboard weekly, which is available on my Department's website which can be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/3b8b5-2022-forestry-weekly-dashboard/
The total number of felling licences issued in April 2022 was 257. Of these, 60 were inspected according to Departmental records.
Our plans for licence issue in 2022 are contained in the Forestry Licensing Plan with a target of 5,250 licences issues, which is a year-on-year increase of 30%. This includes an increase of 36% in private felling licences to 1,830, while Coillte felling licences at 1,530 will maintain the levels they achieved in 2021. The Licensing Plan 2022 may be found here gov.ie - Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 (www.gov.ie).
Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, the priority this year is to deliver on the ambition outlined in the Plan and to issue 5,250 licences, and to reach the projected targets in each licence category, including private felling.
