“I am delighted to announce an additional €5 million budget for Forestry in Ireland, bringing our total investment in the area to €93 million, this will include a Forestry Reconstitution Scheme for those affected by windblown sites, subject to Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation approval. This will allow us to continue to build on the huge success of the Forestry Programme in 2025 which has nearly doubled its planting rates since 2024.

“This investment represents the commitment by Government to the sector and a recognition of the critical role of forestry in providing sustainable raw materials for our timber industry, billions to the economy and thousands of jobs across rural Ireland. In addition, forests are essential to the maintenance of biodiversity that help to support our climate goals by removing CO2 from the atmosphere, as well as being a significant part of our infrastructure providing recreational spaces for our communities, supporting our health and well-being.

“I welcome the announcement that Farm Restructuring (CGT) relief will be renewed, and forestry land will now be eligible for this relief. Farm Restructuring (CGT) relief supports the restructuring of farms to improve farm efficiency and reduce farm fragmentation, through selling, purchasing or exchanging farmland. This relief is important environmentally and economically for farmers seeking to consolidate fragmented holdings.”

“I am delighted to have secured funding of €3 million for farm safety, health and wellbeing initiatives in Budget 2026.

“This dedicated funding is testimony to this government’s commitment to supporting the safety, health and wellbeing of our farming community and will enable my Department to continue existing initiatives and to develop new evidence-led initiatives to improve farm safety and support the health and wellbeing of our farming community. It will also enable my Department to work with stakeholders to deliver initiatives which make a real difference to the lives of farmers and the wider farming community.”

“I am pleased to have secured a budget of €8.8 million for horticulture in 2026, which recognises the continued government support for the development of the Horticulture sector. Significant progress has been made in meeting the target to grow the horticulture sector as set out in the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023 – 2027. I hope that growers will take advantage of these supports to continue that growth and further develop their businesses and provide fresh, local, Irish produce for us to eat.”