500 forestry workers 'living on the edge' in west Cork

1,900 forestry licences issued since the start of 2021

220 private felling licences were issued during the month of June - the highest number in five years. File Picture. 

500 jobs are on the line in West Cork because of the forestry crisis and as a result of that workers are living on the edge, Deputy Michael Collins told a meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine which addressed the crisis within the industry with Minister for State at the Department, Senator Pippa Hackett earlier today.

She told those gathered that licencing is the most immediate and impactful challenge the sector faces and her officials were now completely focused on turning the situation around.