This release contains an analysis of the area afforested under Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine afforestation schemes during the period 2007 to 2021. For more details on the 2014-2020 scheme, see Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme 2014-2020
The Afforestation Schemes provide financial support to encourage the planting of trees on land not previously under forest.
The primary purpose of the Department afforestation schemes are to make progress towards the achievement of the following objectives:
- increase Ireland’s forest cover to 18%;
- establish 8,000 ha of new forests and woodlands per annum to 2030;
- to provide at least 30% of the area afforested annually with broadleaved species during the programme period;
- increase the average area of forests, with greater access to the public road network;
- encourage forest management practices that restore, preserve and enhance forest biodiversity and provide specific areas of biodiversity;
- develop a forest-based biomass resource and generally encourage its use in domestic and commercial markets;
- foster carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation; and
- provide a resource which will contribute to long-term sustainable development in the rural economy.
This release only covers afforestation. However land that was afforested under the schemes must remain under forest cover and the felling of any trees is subject to the provisions of the Forestry Act 2014.
Financial support is provided for both the establishment and maintenance of new forests and woodlands. Set-up grants cover up to 100% of total costs. An annual premium per hectare is available with the rate depending on the species of trees planted. In the 2014-2020 scheme, the annual premium rate for the most popular planting category was €520 per hectare for trees planted in a parcel greater than 10 hectares.
Data for all years are subject to revision.
The CSO received the data from the Forest Service under Section 30 of the Statistics Act, 1993.
This release will be published annually.
For more information on methodology please see: Afforestation Area
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