Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2023
250. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason road planting, thinning and felling licences are not active since the start of 2023; the measures that are to be taken by those who are in limbo since December 2022 when their licences expired (details supplied); when they can expect all licences to be renewed and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8992/23]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continues to issue and accept felling licence applications and has to date this year issued 404 felling licences. Furthermore last year we issued record levels of felling licences at 3,293 for 9.6 million cubic metres of wood. These licences have up to 10 year timelines and are being used by forest owners providing work for forestry contractors and supplying sawmills.
As regards afforestation and roads, we are accepting applications and issuing licences for non-grant aided roads and planting. We have also has put in place an Interim Afforestation Scheme (via De Minimis) and an Interim Forest Road Scheme (via De Minimis) which provides the option of immediate planting and/or roading from January 2023 for those with valid grant aided approvals to end December 2022.To date we have granted 164 afforestation applications representing 1,050 hectares and 32 Road road applications under the De Minimis Scheme.
For those that wish to wait for the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023 -2027, unused valid Afforestation licences are being extended until the end of 2023 to give landowners every opportunity to plant and they will attract increased premium rates and a longer term of 20 years for farmers.
In terms of afforestation and road applications which were applied for before 31st December, 2022, but not issued, we are continuing to process these so that they can transition into the new Programme as seamlessly as possible when it opens.
The new Forestry Programme is currently being assessed by the European Commission for State Aid approval. We are in regular and active contact with the Commission so that this process may be progressed. It is a matter of the highest priority for my Department that this €1.3 billion programme commence.
