Tom Hayes, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for forestry has advised landowners that the forestry planting programme is now open.

The Minister of State advised landowners that "Applications are now invited for financial approval under the Afforestation Scheme by applicants with valid technical approvals” and added that “It has been decided that the periods of application for financial approval for technically approved Afforestation Scheme applications will no longer be divided between Autumn of one year and Spring of the following year. Instead it is intended that the current period for applications for financial approval will remain open through the remainder of 2015 and into 2016. The end date for this application period will be determined by the Department and will have regard to the availability of funding, silvicultural and other policy considerations.”

Minister of State Hayes commented that a circular had issued last week to registered foresters and forestry companies advising them of the new arrangements. Making the announcement, he added, “the opening of the planting programme and the decision for it to run into 2016 has been welcomed by forestry companies and I hope that those intending to plant who have their technical approval will proceed to plant.”

By way of update on progress on the implementation of the new Forestry Programme, he advised that “the Afforestation Scheme (incorporating Native Woodland Establishment, Agro-Forestry and Forestry for Fibre), the Forest Roads Scheme, the Woodland Improvement (Thinning and Tending) Scheme, the Seed Stand and Seed Orchard Scheme, and the Neighbourwood Scheme are all currently open and over the coming days I will also launch the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme. Details regarding the opening of other measures available under the Programme will be announced by my Department as and when launched.”

View this Press Release as a PDF: DAFMPR 163/2015 (pdf 365Kb) 

Date Released: 22 September 2015