Wood production has the capacity to almost double in less than two decades, according to a new report.
The ‘All-Ireland Roundwood Production Forecast 2011-2028’ on all island roundwood production estimates that it wood output would increase from 3.8m cubic metres per annum to 7m cubic metres by 2028.
Minister of State Seán Connick has said that this will create substantially increased levels of economic activity, much of it rurally-based and help to create sustainable and secure employment.
Mr Connick has said that by far the largest level of increase in roundwood production will come from the private sector in the Republic.
There is potential to grow wood supply from the sector eight-fold over the period to 2028.
By this time, he said, the output from the Coillte estate and the private sector are likely to be at the same level.
