Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1084. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to have sufficient resources in terms of fully trained personnel to process licences and approvals to achieve Government policy on forestry and to fully implement all proposals in the next forestry programme in a timely fashion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16343/23]
View answerIn order to fully realise the ambition set out in the new Forest Strategy and Forestry Programme, we need a well functioning forestry licensing system. The issuing of licences, depending on the complexity, requires input from a range of Department staff including Forestry Inspectors, Ecologists, Archaeologists, Engineers and Administrative staff. The input required will depend on the individual circumstances in each licence application.
My Department has already devoted extra ecology and inspectorate resources to licensing and is currently assessing under an Organisational Review any necessity for additional resources to meet future demand. Detailed training has been given to Departmental inspectors to assist them in the AA Screening Process.
I would also add the importance of good quality applications from registered foresters in this regard. As part of Project Woodland, a Training Needs Analysis was carried out which assessed the training needs of forest owners, foresters, ecologists and archaeologists and has made recommendations for required training to support the submission of quality applications relating to afforestation, forest roads and felling licences and the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme. My Department is putting in place an implementation plan for the execution of these recommendations. As always my Department remains available to provide the necessary training and guidance if needed to help improve the quality of applications.
