#ThinkForestry
Supporting Forestry Growth Across Ireland
Forestry matters in Ireland because it supports rural livelihoods, produces a home-grown building material, and helps restore nature. Done well, it is a long-term investment in places, people and the landscape.
Economic
Forestry supports jobs and local supply chains, from nurseries and planting through to harvesting, haulage and sawmilling. A COFORD study for Government estimates around 9,400 direct and indirect jobs, with 3,500 in forestry and harvesting and 5,900 in wood and wood products manufacturing, and an economic contribution of over €2 billion per year.
Social
Forests are used and enjoyed by people of all ages, for walking, cycling, outdoor learning, and simply getting time in nature. They also bring visitors into rural areas and help support local businesses. Government has cited over 18 million individual visits to public forests each year.
Environmental
Ireland’s forest area is estimated at 808,848 hectares, about 11.6% of the country’s land area, and it delivers important climate and biodiversity benefits, such as the removal of CO₂ and improvements in air quality. To strengthen that contribution over time, Ireland needs sustained new planting, with around 8,000 hectares per year necessary to improve future sink capacity.
Your land in forestry
Forestry can be a practical, long-term option for landowners who want to make more from their land while improving it over time. With the right site and the right plan, woodland creation can sit alongside farming, strengthen the value of a holding, and create a reliable asset that grows year on year.
Benefits of using your land for forestry
- A long term, productive use for land that may be less suited to other enterprises
- A renewable timber crop that supports Irish supply chains
- More shelter and better microclimates on farms, reducing wind exposure
- Improved soil protection and reduced erosion on suitable sites
- Greater habitat value and biodiversity when designed and managed well
- Potential to diversify income streams and spread risk over time
- A lasting legacy for families, communities and the wider landscape
“About half of all farmers in the long run would be better off planting forestry than their existing land use.”
– Professor Cathal ODonoghue,
Established Chair of Social and Public Policy (University of Galway) and Chair of the Board of the National Museum of Ireland
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Timber Rates and Premiums
| Forest Type | Grant/ha | Annual Premium/ha | Duration of Premiums (Farmers) | Duration of Premiums (Non-farmers) | |
| FT1 | Native forests | € 6 744 | € 1 103 | 20 | 15 |
| FT2 | Forests for water* | € 6 744 | € 1 142 | 20 | 15 |
| FT3 | Forests on Public Lands** | € 10 544 | € 1 103 | n/a | 15 |
| FT4 | NeighbourWoods*** | € 10 200 | € 1 142 | 20 | 15 |
| FT5 | Emergent Forest | € 2 500 | € 350 | 15 | 15 |
| FT6 | Broadleaf, mainly oak and beech | € 6 744 | € 1 037 | 20 | 15 |
| FT7 | Diverse Broadleaf | € 4 314 | € 973 | 15 | 15 |
| FT8 | Agroforestry | € 8 555 | € 1 170 | 10 | 10 |
| FT9 | Seed Orchards | € 10 000 | € 1 142 | 20 | 15 |
| FT10 | Continuous Cover Forestry | € 5 421 | € 912 | 15 | 15 |
| FT11 | Mixed high forests: Diverse Conifer, 20% broadleaves | € 4 452 | € 863 | 15 | 15 |
| FT12 | Mixed high forests with mainly spruce, 20% broadleaves | € 3 858 | € 746 | 15 | 15 |
| FT13 | Agroforestry – Silvoarable | € 6 000 | € 829 | 10 | 10 |
| FT14 | Agroforestry – Forest Gardening | € 6 000 | € 829 | 10 | 10 |
* Additional payment of €1,000 per ha will be paid to landowner on completion of planting
** Grant includes Trails, Seats & Signage Facilities payment
*** Grant includes Facilities payment
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