The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has issued a total of 995 forestry licences since the start of the year.

This represents an increase of 165 licences or 20% when compared to the same four-month period in 2025 when 830 licences were issued.

The latest data, published by the department, shows that up to Friday (May 1), 163 afforestation licences have been granted for 1,281ha.

This is down from 183 licences covering 1,447ha in the corresponding period in 2025.

The data shows that 438ha has been planted so far this year; this figure reflects afforestation that has been paid at first grant stage this year to date only, including the Native Tree Area Scheme (NTAS).

In the same period last year, the department said that just over 1,000ha had been planted.

Forestry

Up to the end of April, the department had issued 565 felling licences covering 6,818ha.

453 of the felling licences were issued to private forestry owners, up from 312 last year.

112 felling licences were granted for Coillte plantations, which was at a similar level to the first four months of 2025.

267 licences have been issued for 102km of forestry roads. The data shows that 24km of roads have been constructed this year.

Since the start of the year, there has been a total of 1,302 valid licence applications submitted to the department.

This includes 127 applications for afforestation, 341 for private felling, 636 for Coillte felling, and 198 for forestry roads.

20 appeals relating to afforestation have been lodged so far this year, along with 10 on tree felling, and six for forest roads.

Schemes

The latest data also shows that 106 applications have been approved this year for the Reconstitution of Ash Dieback Scheme, covering 504ha.

62 applications have been approved for the Woodland Improvement Scheme relating to 340ha.

47 approvals were issued for the NTAS covering 49ha, along with 46 for the Deer Tree Shelter scheme for 137ha.

20 applications have been granted for the Climate Resilient Reforestation Scheme covering 108ha.

Nine licences were issued for the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme for 60ha.