Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1247. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress on the commencement of 2023-2027 forestry programme; and to address the continuing delays in obtaining forestry licences. [37314/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1261. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the measures his Department is taking to address ongoing issues with afforestation and felling licensing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37629/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1321. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38821/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1247, 1261 and 1321 together.
The new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 replaces the previous Programme which expired at the end of 2022. This new programme supports the largest, most farmer-friendly investment in forestry in the history of the State. The entire programme was approved by Government on 6th September and the new Afforestation Scheme opened to applications on that date, while the forest roads scheme, the Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme and other support schemes are also open. Other support schemes will be opened on an ongoing basis in the weeks and months ahead.
During the period that State Aid approval was awaited, my Department did not accept or issue grant aided afforestation and road licences, but continued to issue felling licences. In addition, non-grant aided road and afforestation licences continued to issue. To date, 124 non-grant aided roads licences and 12 non-grant aided afforestation licences have issued. Furthermore, 2,085 felling licences have issued, equating to 24,402 hectares. The volume of wood available from these licences amounts to 6,491,422 cubic metres.In recognition of the need for forestry activity to continue, and pending the launch of the new Programme, my Department introduced an Interim Afforestation Scheme, an Interim Forest Road Scheme and an interim Ash Dieback Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme via General De Minimis.
This ensured that those with valid afforestation licences issued before the end of 2022 could avail of the current planting season under the higher grant and premium rates proposed under the new Programme. Likewise, those with valid road licences and approvals under the Ash Dieback Scheme at the end of 2022 could avail of the higher grants and enhanced payment rates as proposed under the new Programme.A total of 288 applications have been approved under the Interim Afforestation Scheme, representing 1,750 hectares. Under the interim roads scheme, 159 approvals have issued representing 70,222 metres, while under the interim RUS scheme, 27 approvals have issued in respect of 107 hectares. It is my intention to publish a licensing plan imminently, which will encompass the remainder of 2023 and 2024. In addition, my Department continues to invest heavily in additional resources, including ecology resources. Currently my Department employs eight permanent ecologists and 22 full time equivalent contract ecologists. We are committed to continual improvement and will continue to work to ensure that our systems are as efficient as possible in order to facilitate a well-functioning licensing system.
