Forestry - Grant & Premiums
Have you ever thought about leaving a legacy and providing for the long term?
The options available for planting lands are vast and provide something for everyone. There are 12 different Forest Types (FT), and they each encourage diverse species mixes and biodiversity, as appropriate to the land and owner. CLICK THE BLACK PAGE TO DOWNLOAD A BROCHURE
Forestry and Woodlands are sources of timber, amenity, habitat and well being and local, rural employment. Additionally, trees capture and store Carbon, improve soil and water quality and have the capacity to shelter animals.
A further benefit to forest and woodland creation is that the revenues generated are tax free (exc USC and PRSI).
Who pays to heave the trees planted - well, forestry establishment is covered by a full, exchequer backed grant. This is to encourage further planting nationally to increase the national cover from a European low of 11% up to 18%. There is a 4 year government backed contract put in place to protect both parties. Some of the commitments within that contract, include:
- Fencing of the planted area
- Preparation of the ground
- Draining of land
- Supply and planting of trees
- Fertilising
- Vegetation Control
- Pest control
- Maintenance of woodland records
For those who do decide to plant, there are a range of premiums available, matching the Forest Type - see our calculator below. Premium payments are paid directly to landowners, annually, for up to 20 years (15 for non farmers) and can be worth €1,103 per hectare.
Your local forester will assist you through the entire process. Remember, you own the land and the trees - we are here to help you make the most from them.
Afforestation premium rates 2023 - 2027
🌲 Forestry Grant & Premium Calculator
Calculation Results
Forestry establishment is covered by a full, exchequer backed grant. This is to encourage further planting nationally to increase the national cover from below 11% to 18%.
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Farm incomes Survey
In a recent article published by Agriland, details of the Teagasc farm survey were discussed. It found that average incomes increased, albeit of a historically low level in 2023.
Interestingly, from a forestry perspective, the average income of a cattle farm (rearing & other) is capped at €18,000. Given the average size of those farms, their income could be very well subsidised through the introduction of a forestry option across their lands. Either a dedicated parcel to forestry of c 20% of their lands, at €1,103 per hectare for 20 years, or AGROFORESTRY option, offering more than €948 per hectare for 10 years.
Get in touch to learn how you can secure additional and tax free income annually.
Here are some of the details from Agriland Cattle rearing Following an extremely poor outcome in 2023, incomes on cattle rearing farms, which typically focus on suckler beef production, rebounded strongly in 2024. The average income increased by 93% to €13,500.
Higher cattle prices and lower production costs contributed to the improved economic performance of these farms.
While the core support payment remains the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), in addition the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), the National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS) and Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) also helped to underpin the income improvement.
Cattle other Cattle Other farms, including beef finishing and store cattle enterprises, experienced an income increase of 32% in 2024, with the average income rising to over €18,000. This increase was driven by firmer prices for finished animals and lower production costs.
However, the increase in finished cattle prices was more modest than for younger animals and this limited the increase in income observed in this farm system.
In a recent article published by Agriland, details of the Teagasc farm survey were discussed. It found that average incomes increased, albeit of a historically low level in 2023.
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Forest & Wild Fires
This is the season forest fires can impact your lands and forestry. The attached report highlights the continuing changes in forest fires across Europe and how weather and climate impacts them.
If you have concerns around your forestry and its safety, please get in touch. We can help advise you on ways to protect your forest and also offer you a chance to join the group master insurance policy, which offers cover for replanting and fire brigade call out.
This is the season forest fires can impact your lands and forestry. The attached report highlights the continuing changes in forest fires across Europe and how weather and climate impacts them.
Storm Eowyn recovery
The impact of Storm Eowyn is still being assessed. Minister Hayden informed Green Belt directly that a decision on any support package will be determined in the upcoming budget (October 2025).
Since the storm there has been a lot of activity and promises made across the industry. Green Belt has maintained its integrity and strong relationships within the industry. This has ensured our forest owners are guaranteed their payment for the timber promptly and accurately. We work with reputable contractors and sawmills and monitor timber flows and volumes as they leave the forest.
In these times of uncertainty, we encourage you to get in touch. Green Belt's foresters will assess your forest, identify the area affected and help you plan your way out of this problem and back to productive forestry.
If your decision is to sell the forest, either with timber still on site, or post harvesting. Green Belt can help you find a suitable purchaser.
Please contact your local forester
The impact of Storm Eowyn is still being assessed. Minister Hayden informed Green Belt directly that a decision on any support package will be determined in the upcoming budget (October 2025).