Publication
Forestry Grants and Schemes
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Farmers and landowners can benefit from grants, income tax-free earnings and supports by planting trees on their land.
State Aid approval has been given for the Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 and the Scheme is now open for applications. Over the next few weeks we will conduct a series of information and training workshops for foresters so that all those submitting applications are fully aware of the terms and conditions of the new Scheme. Please see our FAQ document below.
The new Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 provides for increased premiums for planting trees by between 46% and 66% and to extend the premium period from 15 to 20 years for farmers. Please see further information in the Farm Forestry Booklet:
To find out how much you could be paid under the Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027, click here to use our calculator.
For a full list of forestry grants and schemes offered through the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 (extended to 2022) please follow this link Schemes offered under the Forestry Programme 2014-2022 . These Schemes are not available after 31 December 2022.
For applicants with valid technical approval by 31 December 2022, and who wished to plant trees, work on forest roads or reconstitute their forest in early 2023, the Department approved three interim schemes. These measures are not part of the upcoming Forestry Programme 2023-2027, and applicants should be aware of strict payment rules that continue for the entirety of the schemes. The Interim De Minimis Afforestation Scheme closed at the end of June 2023. More information, including terms and conditions can be found below:
From 1 January 2023, all existing forest owners must apply online to receive their annual premium payment. For more information, please see our frequently asked questions document.
The Forestry Licence Viewer map tool allows you to discover information about Ireland's forests.
You can search by application reference number; select an application from the recent applications list; or, to simply zoom in on a site.
Check the online tool here for information on forestry licence applications.
See all of our forestry management tools on our tree felling and management page.
1. Contact your local Teagasc advisor
Start by getting in touch with your Teagasc advisor for independent advice, who can tell you if your land is suitable for forestry, how establishing a forest might impact other farming payments, and the various grant and premium options available.
2. Make an appointment with a registered forester
We approve registered foresters to submit licence applications on behalf of landowners.
You can ask them to handle the planting, establishment, and management of your forest.
All paperwork at pre-planting, post-planting and at the second grant instalment stage must be submitted by a registered forester.
It is important to note that an afforestation licence is required for all new forest projects where the area involved is greater than 0.1 hectares (approximately 0.25 acres).
We recommend contacting several companies to discuss your options and once satisfied, you can sign a contract with the registered forester, and retain the services of a solicitor.
3. How to apply for a grant
Your registered forester will submit the application on your behalf. You will need decide at this stage if you want your forester to look after planting, establishing, and maintaining the forest (for the first four years) or if you wish to do it yourself.
You may need to consult an ecologist at application stage depending on the circumstances of your land.
See a list of Native Woodland Scheme Ecologists.
4. How to get paid after planting trees and tree maintenance
Planting can begin once you receive written technical approval with an afforestation licence and your forester has applied for financial approval.
Once completed, the first grant is payable to cover the costs associated with establishing the forest.
The balance is paid by way of a second grant four years after planting following successful establishment of the forest. Grant levels are dependent on tree species and soil type.
5. How to apply for a forestry premium – watch video tutorial
The first premium is payable once planting has been completed.
The forest owner is responsible for ensuring the forest is maintained in accordance with best forest practice.
Log on to www.agfood.ie to apply online for a forest premium
Watch this video outlining how to complete the online application
Integrated Forestry Information System (iFORIS) allows forest owners registered for online services to apply for annual forestry premium online.
It also allows registered foresters:
- to track online the progress of any pre-approval forestry application
- to map and submit new pre-approval (Form 1) applications online for the Afforestation and Forest Road Scheme
- to access ortho-photography for the entire country, Environmental Statutory Designations, and other relevant datasets to assist with forestry applications
Register now for IFORIS through www.agfood.ie and learn more information on iFORIS.
Afforestation
Potential environmental impacts new forests could have are considered.
Land types for afforestation
This Land Types for Afforestation document sets out the potential eligibility of land for support under the Afforestation Scheme based on the capability of that land to produce a sustainable commercial crop of timber.
Freshwater pearl mussel
The freshwater pearl mussel is protected under the Habitats Directive and the Wildlife Acts. Based on the most recent assessment, Ireland has 46% of EU freshwater pearl mussels and the species is in decline throughout the island of Ireland and the rest of Europe. Our Forestry and Freshwater Pearl Mussel Requirements paper outlines a range of measures to reduce potential negative impacts on the species arising from forest operations.
Draft plan for forests and freshwater pearl mussel in Ireland
Appropriate assessment procedures
We screen applications to check whether a proposed forestry project will affect the most vulnerable habitats and species in Ireland. Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas, collectively known as the Natura 2000 network, are designated to protect these habitats and species.
Applicants can be asked to provide a Natura Impact Statement, which is a scientific examination that identifies any possible impact the project may have on the conservation objectives of any Natura sites.
It must also identify any mitigation measures needed to avoid, reduce, or eliminate the risk of such impact.
We then undertake an appropriate assessment to determine beyond reasonable scientific doubt whether there will be an adverse effect on the integrity of these Natura sites, based on the nature of the impact, the effectiveness of any mitigation measures proposed.
Applications can only be approved when there is no possibility of an effect on any Natura site.
Our forestry division must be notified of any change of ownership of a grant-aided plantation during the term of the contract, resulting from death, sale, or transfer of a plantation.
Learn more at Forestry Grant Scheme - Change of Ownership
The public is consulted throughout the licencing process. For more information and/or to make a submission, go to our public consultation page.
To make an appeal, see the Forestry Appeals Committee website.
Watch video on forest owner on how to get started in forestry
In this video, Jonathan Sykes of Springfield House in Co Limerick, explains the reasons behind planting 20 hectares of broadleaf woodlands 20-years ago. He shares why timely first and second thinnings are essential for better trees.
