Paul Kehoe
Ceist:406. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the weekly target of afforestation licences on the weekly dashboard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63118/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 15 December 2022
Ceisteanna (406)
Freagraí scríofa
I am pleased to advise that due to continued high output in forestry licensing this year, we have seen considerable reductions in the backlog of forestry licences and a year-on-year increase in the number of licences issued.
Earlier this year, we published a Forestry Licensing Plan for 2022 which contained a target of 5,250 licences, an increase of 30% on 2021.
Up to 9th December, we have issued 4,543 licenses, just behind the projected target of 4,949.which is 92% of our expected output at this point in the year and there are currently 1,013 approved afforestation licences with just under 7,479 hectares ready for planting. We continue to focus on clearing older files ahead of the new forestry programme which was recently announced.
These improved outputs have been achieved through a commitment to continuous improvement, as well as through a significant investment in resources. The positive impact of these measures can be seen in the increased number of licences issuing.
This increase in licence output will remove one of the perceived barriers to planting. I am acutely aware of the afforestation target of 8,000 hectares per year set out in the Climate Action Plan and the fact that afforestation rates have been declining in recent years.
We hope that the new Forestry Programme will re-engage landowners, farmers in particular, and realise the land-use change needed.
This will be the best funded Forestry Programme in the history of the state, with €1.3 billion committed to its implementation. This is a huge vote of confidence in forestry as a public good and in farmers in particular.
Question No. 407 answered with Question No. 404.