The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) issued 505 felling licences to forestry owners by the end of May this year.

371 of the licences were granted to private owners, while the remaining 134 related to Coillte forests.

The licences issued up to May 30 cover a total area of 6,261ha.

In 2024, felling licences were a total of 21,850ha, down from 33,416 in the previous year.

Of the 693 felling licences applied for so far in 2025, 520 have been submitted by private owners.

Last week, 23 felling licences were issued by the department, down from 26 in the previous week.

In the first five months of the year, 203 afforestation licences were issued relating to 1,580ha.

The department said that 166 valid afforestation licences have been submitted this year.

A total of 1,242ha of forestry has been planted so far this year, with the highest amount, 378ha, planted in April.

The latest forestry dashboard figures from DAFM note that the figures for afforestation planted in 2025 reflect afforestation that has been paid at first grant stage this year to date only, including the Native Area Tree Scheme (NTAS).

The government has set an annual target of 8,000ha of new forestry in order to meet climate targets.

A total of 261 licences have been issued for 91km of forestry roads – the data shows that 37km of roads have been constructed so far in 2025.

There have been 195 licences issued by the department so far this year for the Reconstitution of Ash Dieback Scheme, relating to 637ha.

122 licences have been approved for the NTAS (133ha), 44 for the Woodland Improvement Scheme (256ha) and 56 for the Deer Tree Shelter scheme (239ha).

Two licences have been issued for the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme this year for 17ha.

The department has issued 16 licences for the Climate Resilient Reforestation Scheme covering 91ha.