I propose to take Questions Nos. 1276, 1277, 1280, 1284 and 1334 together.
My Department has not been in a position to issue grant-aided forest road or afforestation licences this year while we awaited full and final approval of the new Forestry Programme 2023 -2027, including State Aid approval from the European Commission and the conclusion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment processes.
I am pleased to say that the Programme has now been approved by Government, and both the afforestation and forest roads schemes are open to applications. Felling licences continue to issue as normal.
As we are now in a position to issue all licences we will in the near future publish a new Forestry Licensing Plan. This will cover the reminder of 2023 while also indicating plans for 2024.