Trevor Sargent
Question:452 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the remit, structure and membership of the woodlands of Ireland, together with the sources and extent of funding. [30503/05]
View answerTuesday, 25 October 2005
Questions (384, 385, 386, 387, 388)
Written answers
The Woodlands of Ireland is a partnership involving those with an interest in conserving Ireland's native woodlands. The project is funded jointly by the Department of Agriculture and Food, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Heritage Council.
The objectives of the project are to develop strategies aimed at securing the sustainable management of Ireland's semi-natural woodlands, encourage the restoration of degraded semi-natural woodland, facilitate the establishment of new woodlands consisting of indigenous species from indigenous sources, initiate educational programmes to promote awareness of the importance of native woodlands and to disseminate information pertaining to these activities.
Woodlands of Ireland employs one full-time project manager. Overall guidance is provided by a steering group comprising one representative from each of the three funding agencies, along with a further seven members elected at the annual general meeting. A technical advisory group, with up to 27 members selected for their particular expertise, provides advice on various technical matters. The project has no membership, as such. Anybody interested in the conservation of native woodlands can seek election to the steering group.
The Department of Agriculture and Food has approved funding of €30,000 to support the activities of woodlands of Ireland for 2005. I understand that similar funding has been approved by the other funding agencies.
Woodlands of Ireland also works with the forest service in the provision of training courses. The courses cover topics relevant to the native woodland scheme and are aimed at foresters, ecologists, personnel from relevant State agencies and others directly involved in developing projects under the native woodland scheme.
Trevor Sargent
Question:453 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will report on the native woodland scheme since its establishment; the date of approval; the areas concerned, nature and extent of these applications; the source and amount of funding involved; and the status of their implementation differentiating between establishment and conservation schemes and giving the names of the successful applicants. [30504/05]
View answerThe native woodland scheme was established in 2001 to provide support to landowners to protect and enhance existing native woodlands and to establish new native woodlands using close-to-nature silivicultural practices. The scheme is funded under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, supported by the European Union. Expenditure under the scheme to date is €1,204,936.70. I am arranging to send details of the application approved to date to the Deputy within the next week.
Trevor Sargent
Question:454 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if sites have been approved for the native woodland scheme which were already clear-felled; if so, if she will provide a list of those sites; the names of the applicants; the date of approval; the areas concerned; the nature and extent of these applications; their cost and the status of their implementation. [30505/05]
View answerThe purpose of the native woodland scheme is to provide support to landowners to protect and enhance existing native woodlands and to establish new native woodlands using close-to-nature silivicultural practices. Sites which have been clear-felled and which may have been originally planted with a range of coniferous and other species are eligible to be considered for grant assistance for replanting as native woodland.
I am aware of 25 sites under the native woodland scheme where some element of clear-felling had taken place prior to application. I am compiling the information requested about these sites and will send the relevant details to the Deputy within the next week.
Trevor Sargent
Question:455 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will provide a breakdown of prosecutions undertaken by her Department for unauthorised felling, in view of the number of reports received; the number of proceedings undertaken and their outcome over the past five years. [30506/05]
View answerSince 2000 my Department has received 312 reports of alleged unauthorised felling of trees. Each report is fully investigated by my officials who carry out an on-site inspection in every case and submit a full written report. Based on their assessment of the situation and legal advice, where considered appropriate, a decision is taken on whether proceedings should be initiated. However, in the majority of reported cases of unauthorised felling, it is found that there is no breach of the Forestry Act 1946. Of the cases investigated by my Department, 13 were brought to court over the last five years. Successful prosecutions were obtained in 12 of these cases.
Trevor Sargent
Question:456 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will require advertisement by signs for afforestation projects similar to those used to ensure public consultation under the planning system. [30507/05]
View answerI will consider whether the public notification and consultation process is adequate.