Publication
Forestry Grants and Schemes
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 was created in alignment with Ireland’s Forest Strategy and as such, is designed to provide lasting benefits for many key areas including climate change, biodiversity, wood production, employment alongside enhancing societal benefits. The Forestry Programme will provide incentives for farmers and other landowners and will provide farm families with the opportunity to increase and diversify their income streams. The Department covers 100% of the costs to establish the forest, and all payments and earnings are income tax free.
State Aid approval has been given for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027. The Afforestation Scheme and Native Tree Area Scheme are now open for applications. Other Schemes and support measures will be introduced on a phased basis over the coming weeks and months.
To plant a forest that suits your farm - 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.
From 01 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 below.
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 .
- Native Woodland Conservation Scheme
- Woodland Improvement Scheme 2023-2027
- Deer Tree Shelter, Hare and Deer Fencing Scheme
- Forestry Knowledge Transfer Group Scheme 2023
- Forest Road Scheme 2023-2027
- Innovative Forest Technology Scheme - Module 2: Investment Aid for the Development of the Forest Tree Nursery Sector 2023-2027
- Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023-2027
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 .
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.
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.
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 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:
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.