Workshops on the economic benefits of forestry to take place in locations across the country
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Teagasc Forestry Development Department are hosting four free information events in October and November. Pic: gov.ie
A number of nationwide Town Hall meetings are to take place in which Minister Michael Healy-Rae will look at exploring how forestry can support your land, your income, and your future.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Teagasc Forestry Development Department are hosting four free information events in October and November.
Each event will be run over an evening and will open with two short presentations followed by a conversation between Minister Healy-Rae and a farmer discussing their forestry journey.
Those in attendance will also get an opportunity to talk to professional forestry staff on a one-to-one about your interest in forestry.
The first of the two presentations will focus attention on afforestation grants and premium details while the second presentation will look at how forestry complements other farm income support measures.
The events will take at the following locations: Shearwater Hotel, Marina Point, Dunlo, Ballinasloe, Co Galway - Tuesday, October 21; Brehon Hotel & Spa, Muckross Road, Poulnamuck, Killarney, Co Kerry - Tuesday, October 23; Ardboyne Hotel, Dublin Road, Balreask Old, Navan, Co Meath - Tuesday, November 4 and Newpark Hotel, Castlecomer Road, Newpark Lower, Kilkenny - Tuesday, November 11.
All the sessions will take place between 7pm and 10.30pm.
The events are free to attend and open to everyone.
Teagasc is reminding people what the Afforestation Scheme and Native Tree Area Scheme have to offer.
In a note in its website the organisation said the current Forestry Programme 2023-2027 provides many options to consider for planting trees on land not previously under forest.
The 11 forest types offered to landowners in the Afforestation Scheme provide forestry creation options that will suit many objectives and can complement other farming enterprises.
According to the latest forestry newsletter from Teagasc, once an afforestation licence is acquired, grants are available for the establishment and maintenance of a new forest - up to €8,555/ha, with additional funding for fencing.
Both farmers and non-farmers can apply and in addition to the establishment and maintenance grants, an annual tax-free forestry premium is available to the applicant, ranging from €746 to €1,142/ha/year (for 20 years for farmers).
The Native Tree Area Scheme (NTAS) offers the opportunity to create a small native woodland of up to one hectare on farmed land.
The scheme also provides scope to plant one further hectare if the land adjoins a relevant watercourse.
The scheme will not require an afforestation licence but is subject to the terms and conditions of the NTAS.
The NTAS establishment grant is €6,744, with a premium of €2,206/ha for 10 years.
Teagasc is also reminding people, if they have an ash forest, to apply for the Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme (RADS) 2023-2027 and the Climate Action Performance Payment (CAPP).
In its newsletter the organisation said: 'If you own an ash forest that was planted with a grant from the DAFM and have not yet joined a reconstitution scheme, you can still apply for the RADS 2023-2027'. The newsletter also noted that the scheme provides support for forest owners impacted by the disease and covers both site clearance and replanting operations.
Site clearance involves the clearance of affected ash trees, and associated operations to prepare and present the site for replanting. Reconstitution involves the replacement of the ash trees with alternative species. There are a range of forest type options available for replanting.
