Afforestation Area 2023

Introduction

This release contains an analysis of the area afforested under Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine afforestation schemes during the period 2007 to 2023. Afforestation of levels can be impacted by a number of factors. The new programme was launched in November 2023 with significant increases in grants and premiums. For more details on the new scheme see Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027. For details on the previous scheme, see Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme 2014-2020.

Coverage

The Afforestation Schemes provide financial support to encourage the planting of trees on land not previously under forest.

Objectives of the Schemes

The primary purpose of the Departments afforestation schemes are to make progress towards the achievement of the following objectives:

- increase Ireland’s forest cover to 18%;

- establishment of 8,000 hectares (ha) of new diverse, multifunctional and climate resilient forests per annum (subject to the availability of funding and land);

- provide at least 50% of the national area afforested with broadleaved species. Broadleaves must make up at least 20% by area of new conifer forests being established;

- encourage forest management practices in newly planted forests that result in continuous cover forest (ccf) management and forest retention, enhancing and supporting  natural systems by linking existing habitats and new, dedicated forest biodiversity areas within established forests;

- expand and encourage appropriate management of new emergent native scrub forest with attendant biodiversity, habitat and ecosystem service enhancements, encourage the establishment of  small native trees areas up to 2 ha on farms;                  

- increase the area of new forest area used by members of the public for forest recreation, amenity, health and wellbeing by providing dedicated “open forests” and specific forest recreational and amenity facilities;     

- increase the uptake of agroforestry systems for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, animal welfare and the production of high quality hardwood timber;

- develop forest-based biomass resources to support the circular and green economy in commercial and domestic markets;

- support carbon sequestration, climate change mitigation and forest resilience through appropriate species selection and sustainable forest management; and

- provide a forest resource to support economic viability and sustainability of rural communities through increased use of wood and wood products in construction and energy production.

Reforestation

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.

Funding

Financial support is provided for both the establishment and maintenance of new forests and woodlands. Establishment grants cover up to 100% of the total costs. An annual premium rate per hectare up to 20 years in duration is available depending on the species of trees planted. For further details see Afforestation Scheme 2023- 2027.

Revisions

Data for all years are subject to revision.

Legal Basis

The CSO received the data from the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under Section 30 of the Statistics Act, 1993.

Release Frequency

This release will be published annually.