The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has issued 1,801 forestry licences in the first seven months of the year.

This marks an increase 366 licences or 26% on the same period last year.

The latest data shows that 284 licences were issued in July 2026, up from 274 in the previous month.

The department has issued 1,140 felling licences to date this year relating to 13,122.

Of that total, 693 were private felling licences, with the remaining 447 for Coillte plantations.

1,217 valid applications for felling had been submitted to the department by last Friday (July 31).

Forestry

The figures also show that 257 afforestation licences have been granted so far this year for 2,162ha.

1,304ha has been planted which reflects afforestation that has been paid at first grant stage this year to date only, including the Native Tree Area Scheme (NTAS).

By the end of July 2025, 1,775ha was recorded as having been planted.

404 licences have been issued for forestry roads covering 147km. 40km of roads have been constructed over the first seven months of the year.

60 forestry appeals have been received by the department so far this year, including 29 relating to afforestation, 19 for tree felling and 12 for roads.

Schemes

The department has granted 125 applications under the Reconstitution Scheme for Windblow relating to 1,003ha.

The scheme provides a total package of €55 million of supports to forest owners affected by storms Darragh and Éowyn.

247 applications have been approved this year for the Reconstitution of Ash Dieback Scheme, covering 748ha.

116 applications have been approved for the Woodland Improvement Scheme relating to 800ha.

44 approvals have been granted for the Deer Tree Shelter Scheme (257ha), 72 for the NTAS covering 76ha, and 38 for the Climate Resilient Reforestation Scheme (206ha).

10 applications have issued under the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme in relation to 67ha.