2630. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of hectares newly afforested in each of the years 2019 to date. [58163/26]

2631. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of hectares licenced for afforestation in each of the years 2019 to date, by year. [58164/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2630 and 2631 together.

The total area of afforestation licences issued from 2019 to date is 29,200 Ha and the total area afforested from 2019 to date is 17,211 Ha.

The breakdown is shown in the table below:

Forestry licensing performance has improved significantly, with processing times now meeting Farmers Charter targets of six months for screened-out projects and nine months for screened in projects.

There was an increase in planting of 62% in 2025, while there are another 4,600 hectares that are approved and as yet not yet planted.

Question No. 2631 answered with Question No. 2630.