merrion street

Andrew Doyle TD, Minister for State with responsibility for forestry at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today launched the new Continuous Professional Development Programme (CPD) at the Society of Irish Foresters (SIF) AGM in the Wicklow Mountains National Park HQ Office, Trooperstown, Laragh, Co Wicklow.

Launching the programme, Minister Doyle said ” The advantages to professional foresters of engaging in such a comprehensive CPD programme are numerous and they include the maintenance of professional competence; enhancement of existing knowledge and skills and the opportunity to develop new ones; the creation of a structure of accreditation for training/information events organised by third parties; and lastly will help to identify emerging issues in terms of knowledge and skills that need to be addressed.”.

The establishment of this CPD structure will upgrade the SIF’s current system and is included in the Knowledge Transfer and Information Action measure of the Forestry Programme 2014 – 2020.

“From my Department’s perspective, one of the most important contributions of the Society has been its Continuous Professional Development programme” said Minister Doyle

Minister Doyle outlined the clear justification for this initiative, given the proposed investment of approx €482m of Exchequer funds in new forestry development over the period of the Programme. This includes planting of 44,000ha of new forests and building almost 700km of forest roads; there are also schemes and measures for thinning, conservation of native woodlands, agro-forestry and growing timber for energy.

“In order to ensure that such expenditure represents good value for money and that State funds are spent in the most appropriate and efficient manner, it is vital that work receiving grant aid is undertaken to the highest standard possible” concluded Minister Doyle.


Note for editors

The CPD is an initiative whereby professional foresters undertake to attend training courses for which they will receive CPD points and if a certain amount of points are maintained they receive CPD accreditation. The aim is to further develop the knowledge base of professionals involved in any aspect of forestry on an ongoing basis and to foster a lifelong learning approach to their careers. It will also motivate those who may not normally get involved in education to start participating in training events whether these are accredited field days organised by forestry organisations or his wider Department. A successful and universally accepted CPD is seen as an important instrument for delivering knowledge transfer to individuals working in the forestry sector.