The new Forest Strategy for Ireland underpins the new Forestry Programme for the period of 2023-2027. The Strategy’s overarching objectives are rooted in the three pillars of sustainability - People, Planet and Prosperity. These pillars guide the strategic objectives of the Strategy.

A quote from the guidelines for the new forestry program.

Under this program, farmers can avail of premiums for 20 years with values ranging from €1,142 per hectare (FT2 - Forests for Water) to €746 per hectare (mixed high forests, mainly Sitka Spruce, 20% broadleaves).

This program also introduces the Native Tree Area Scheme (NTA) which allows planting of up to 2 hectares with the requirement for an afforestation application.

The primary Afforestation Scheme objective, consistent with Forest Strategy goals in relation to Forest for Climate, Nature, Wood, People, and Forest for the Economy and Rural Development is to increase the area of Ireland’s forest estate by making progress towards the achievement of the following:

1. Increase Ireland’s forest cover to 18%;

2. Establishment of 8,000 ha of new diverse, multifunctional and climate resilient forests per annum (subject to the availability of funding and land);
3. Provide at least 50% of the national area afforested with broadleaved species and a require minimum per-application broadleaved species component (20% by area) during the programme period;

4. 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;

5. Expand and encourage appropriate management of new emergent native scrub forest with attendant biodiversity, habitat and ecosystem service enhancements;

6. 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;
7. Increase the uptake of agroforestry systems for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, animal welfare and the production of high quality hardwood timber;
8. Develop forest-based biomass resources to support the circular and green economy in commercial and domestic markets;
9. Support carbon sequestration, climate change mitigation and forest resilience through appropriate species selection and sustainable forest management;

10. 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.