Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
447. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are template reports that ecologists are waiting on from his Department in order to submit reports for afforestation applications in bird and bird foraging areas; when his Department will release the template reports format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7491/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently no template reports that ecologists are waiting on.
The guidance documentation in relation to applications falling within breeding wader hotspots, provides templates to guide the ecologist. These are available on the Departments website.
Where applications fall within the foraging distance of a SPA the guidance advises that a report is provided by the applicant describing the habitat suitability within the application area for foraging.
Training has been carried out outlining in what circumstances bird habitat related reports are required and the requirements of these reports.
Further training will be provided this year and where it is deemed that further guidance or report templates are required these will be made available.
In addition, my Department has recently established an Afforestation Technical Working Group, comprising Registered Foresters and my officials to assist in identifying any technical issues associated with the delivery of the Afforestation Scheme, to ensure standards are applied correctly, and to identify and prioritise training requirements.
