The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) issued 1,179 forestry licences in the first six months of 2025.

This marks a decrease on the 1,665 licences issued by the department in the same period last year.

The latest DAFM data shows that 234 afforestation licences had been issued up to June 27 this year. These licences relate to 1,794ha of planting.

DAFM had recieved 223 valid afforestation applications by last Friday.

In the same period in 2024, the department had issued 257 afforestation licences and had received 365 applications.

A total of 1,513ha of forestry has been planted so far this year, which is an significant increase on this time last year (716ha).

DAFM noted that the figures for afforestation planted reflect afforestation that has been paid at first grant stage to date only, including the Native Area Tree Scheme (NTAS).

Up to last Friday (June 27), DAFM issued 460 private felling licences, along with 183 for felling at Coillte plantations. The combined felling licences issued cover a total of 7,698ha.

In the corresponding period last year, the department had issued 563 private felling and 385 Coillte felling licences for 11,340ha.

The department has received 633 valid applications for private felling so far in 2025 and 514 for Coillte felling.

302 of the licences issued so far this year were for forestry roads, covering 103km. 42km of roads have been constructed in 2025, up from 32km in the same period last year.

Last week, DAFM issued a total of 59 forestry licences, of which 31 related to private felling, 11 for Coillte felling, 10 for roads and 7 for afforestation.

This marks an increase on the 49 licences issued in the previous week.

The department has received 26 afforestation appeals, 19 for tree felling and 12 for forestry roads.

DAFM has also issued 135 licences for the NTAS (146ha) and 23 licences for the Climate Resilient Reforestation Scheme, covering 133ha.

There have been 261 licences issued by the department so far this year for the Reconstitution of Ash Dieback Scheme, relating to 838ha.

97 licences have been granted for the Woodland Improvement Scheme (540ha) and 74 for the Deer Tree Shelter scheme (365ha).

Three licences have been issued for the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme this year for 19ha.