A new scheme to the tune of €55m for private forest owners affected by storms Darragh and Éowyn has been officially announced.
Minister of State with responsibility for forestry Micheal Healy-Rae confirmed on Wednesday that the reconstitution scheme has gotten to the green light.
The grant is proposed to be paid in two instalments: 75% of the grant in the year of replanting and the remaining 25% after four years.
The level of support under the reconstitution scheme for windblow depends on whether the forest was insured for the costs of reconstitution at the time of the storms.
There are multiple payment rates under the scheme for different forestry types.
A rate of €3,858/ha will be available for mixed high forests with Sitka spruce and coniferous high forests. This increases to €5,421/ha for continuous cover forestry and €6,744/ha, with other levels in-between.
Satellite imagery assessments following these storms indicated that damage was caused to 26,050ha of forestry, and of that, almost 13,000 hectares are in private ownership.
‘Attractive package’
Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae said the reconstitution scheme contains an attractive package to enable payments to forest owners for replanting their damaged forest areas.
“The grant rates offered will reflect the replanting species and will mirror the planting grant rates paid through my Department’s afforestation scheme.
“Landowners who have already replanted, or are in the process of doing so, are eligible to apply for this scheme retrospectively, once they satisfy the qualifying criteria,” he said.
The forestry minister added that storms Darragh and Éowyn have inflicted significant damage on forests around the country, resulting in real challenges for forestry.
“The volume of timber normally felled over a 2.5 year period was blown down overnight during storm Éowyn in January 2025.
“While I welcome the significant effort and progress made to date by the forestry sector in the mobilisation of windblown material in forests, it is clear that financial support is required for private forest owners affected by these events,” he stated.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said he encourages all private forest owners affected by storms Darragh and Éowyn to avail of this “comprehensive” reconstitution scheme.
“This will be vital in helping landowners to restore their forests’ potential,” he added.
Applications for the scheme will open in early 2026 and must be made by a registered forester.
Read more
Grant scheme of up to €48m for forestry replanting expected
A new scheme to the tune of €55m for private forest owners affected by storms Darragh and Éowyn has been officially announced.
Minister of State with responsibility for forestry Micheal Healy-Rae confirmed on Wednesday that the reconstitution scheme has gotten to the green light.
The grant is proposed to be paid in two instalments: 75% of the grant in the year of replanting and the remaining 25% after four years.
The level of support under the reconstitution scheme for windblow depends on whether the forest was insured for the costs of reconstitution at the time of the storms.
There are multiple payment rates under the scheme for different forestry types.
A rate of €3,858/ha will be available for mixed high forests with Sitka spruce and coniferous high forests. This increases to €5,421/ha for continuous cover forestry and €6,744/ha, with other levels in-between.
Satellite imagery assessments following these storms indicated that damage was caused to 26,050ha of forestry, and of that, almost 13,000 hectares are in private ownership.
‘Attractive package’
Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae said the reconstitution scheme contains an attractive package to enable payments to forest owners for replanting their damaged forest areas.
“The grant rates offered will reflect the replanting species and will mirror the planting grant rates paid through my Department’s afforestation scheme.
“Landowners who have already replanted, or are in the process of doing so, are eligible to apply for this scheme retrospectively, once they satisfy the qualifying criteria,” he said.
The forestry minister added that storms Darragh and Éowyn have inflicted significant damage on forests around the country, resulting in real challenges for forestry.
“The volume of timber normally felled over a 2.5 year period was blown down overnight during storm Éowyn in January 2025.
“While I welcome the significant effort and progress made to date by the forestry sector in the mobilisation of windblown material in forests, it is clear that financial support is required for private forest owners affected by these events,” he stated.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said he encourages all private forest owners affected by storms Darragh and Éowyn to avail of this “comprehensive” reconstitution scheme.
“This will be vital in helping landowners to restore their forests’ potential,” he added.
Applications for the scheme will open in early 2026 and must be made by a registered forester.
Read more
Grant scheme of up to €48m for forestry replanting expected
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