Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2023
799. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons that in 2022 Coillte secured 110% of the target number of felling licences that was specified in the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4747/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra800. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the private felling category of the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 only achieved 88% of its target number of felling licences issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4748/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra801. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the afforestation licence category of the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 only achieved 68% of its target number of licences issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4749/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 799, 800 and 801 together.
In 2022, the Department approved 4,713 forestry licences which was 90% of our expected output for the year. This licensing output was made up of 1,607 Private felling licences, 1,686 Coillte felling licences, additionally, 702 afforestation and 718 roads licences. This is up on 2021, when we approved 4,018 forestry licences, including 1,294 Private felling licences, 1,529 Coillte felling licences 502 afforestation and 671 roads licences.
Furthermore, we have seen considerable reductions in the backlog of forestry licences, reductions in the time taken to process newer files, and a year-on-year increase in the number of licences issued. The backlog in licences overall was reduced from 6,000 in August 2021, to 3,700 in January 2022 to 1,983 at the end of 2022. I would expect this progress to continue in 2023.
We are committed to delivering a licensing system which meets the needs of all those who apply for forestry licences. This is regardless of whether that application comes from a private individual who wishes to plant trees, a forest owner who wishes to fell their crop, or Coillte who wishes to supply sawmills with product from their estate. Each licence has a value, particularly to the rural economy where the timber is harvested, transported and processed and the Department strives to maintain a healthy balance between Coillte and private applications. Last year, Coillte received 51% of felling licences and the other 49% going to the private sector. Coillte currently supply around 75% of sawlog to sawmills and will, for the foreseeable future, remain an important part of our forestry mix.
With reference to afforestation licenses, 702 licences issued or 68% of the target, however output was significantly up on 2021. Furthermore, there are now 1,007 approved afforestation contracts with over 7,371 ha ready for planting. These applicants have all been written to explain they now have the opportunity to plant under The Interim Afforestation Scheme (via De Minimis) or to transition into the new Forestry Programme 2023- 2027 when it launches.
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 increased premiums rates and extended period of 20 year payments to farmers will re-engage landowners, farmers in particular, and realise the land-use change needed.
