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Grant Schemes

Forest Environment Protection Scheme (FEPS)

This Scheme provides grant aid and premiums to encourage farmers to combine the establishment of high nature-value woodland with their participation in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS). The establishment of woodland under this scheme is designed to maximise its environmental contribution.

Similar to the Afforestation Scheme, the Scheme is payable in 2 instalments. The 1st instalment grant is cost based and is equivalent to 75% of the total grant and is payable on completion of the project. The 2nd instalment, equivalent to 25% of the total grant is payable 4 years after completion subject to the satisfactory maintenance of the plantation.

Grants are the same as Afforestation Grants to a maximum of €7604.00/ha depending on tree species planted. The scheme also attracts an annual premium similar to the Farmer rate of the Afforestation Scheme payable for 20 years and the rates are dependant on tree species planted and size of plantation.

In addition farmers may claim a FEPS Premium for a total of 5 years up to €200/ha depending on farm size and plantation size.

See Scheme Document for further details.

Forest Road Scheme

The Forest Road Scheme provides opportunities to forest owners to improve access to forests. Forest roads are required for forestry management operations and extraction of timber as well as for fire-fighting access. Forest roads provide further biodiversity opportunities in the forest by increasing open space and forest edges.

The Forest Road grant is cost based and is a once off payment of 80% of eligible costs to a maximum of €45/linear metre payable on satisfactory completion of the project.

Forest road construction should be compatible with the Code of Best Forest Practice- Ireland, and the Forest Service Environmental Guidelines and The Forest Road Manual published by COFORD.

See Scheme Document for further details.

Native Woodland Scheme

The Native Woodland Scheme is an innovative package aimed at protecting and expanding Irelands native woodland resource and associated biodiversity. The Native Woodland Scheme is a key biodiversity measure within Ireland's national forest policy. It also supports a wide range of other benefits and functions arising from native woodlands, relating to landscape, cultural heritage, wood and non-wood products and services, the practice of traditional woodland management techniques, environmental education, and carbon sequestration. There are two elements under the scheme, each with its own grants levels and premiums.

This grant scheme is cost based and funding is available under two separate elements:

Element 1: Native Woodland Conservation:

This element of the scheme supports the protection and enhancement of existing native woodlands and the conversion, where appropriate, of existing non-native forests to native woodlands.

The 1st instalment grant under Element 1, is equivalent to 75% of eligible costs or 75% of the maximum grant and is payable on completion of the project with the remaining 25% of these costs or 25% of the maximum grant payable 4 years after completion date of project subject to satisfactory maintenance of the woodland, to a maximum cumulative of €5,000.00/ha.

Landowners under Element 1 may be eligible for a seven year Conservation premium in respect of ongoing work to protect and enhance the native woodland resource.

Element 2: Native Woodland Establishment:

This element of the scheme supports the establishment of new native woodlands on green-field sites. The 1st instalment grant under Element 2 is cost-based up to the maximum grant level of €5,259.25. It covers the cost of establishment. The 2nd instalment is fixed and is payable in year 4 (i.e. 48 months) after the date of completion of the project, up to a maximum of €1,660.82, and is subject to satisfactory maintenance of the woodland.

Premiums are paid annually depending on size of plantation and status of applicant (farmer/non-farmer). - up to a maximum of €573.86 farmer rate- up to a maximum of €211.73 non-farmer rate The FEPS Premium may also be available to applicants who fulfil the requirements of FEPS.

Neighbour Wood Scheme

The Neighbour Wood Scheme provides grant aid for local authorities, private landowners and others to develop attractive local woodland amenities - or 'Neighbour Woods' - in and around villages, towns and cities, specifically for public access and enjoyment.

This grant scheme is cost based and funding is available under three separate elements:

Element 1: Enhancing existing woodland.

The 1st instalment grant is cost based, is equivalent to 75% of total grant and is payable on completion of the project with the remaining 25% payable 4 years after completion subject to satisfactory maintenance of the woodland, to a maximum cumulative of €5,000.00/ha. No premiums are available with this element.

Element 2: Establishing new woodland.

The 1st instalment grant under Element 2 is cost-based up to the maximum grant level of €5,259.25/ha. It covers the cost of establishment. The 2nd instalment is payable in year 4 subject to the satisfactory maintenance of the woodland to a maximum grant level of €1,660.82/ha. NeighbourWood Establishment, premiums may be available to a maximum of €573.86/ha Farmer rate, and €211.73 non-Farmer rate, for applicants who fulfil the eligibility criteria as set out in the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme.

Element 3: Facilities.

The grant payable under Element 3 is cost-based up to the maximum grant level of €4,500.00 per hectare for the first 10 hectares of forest-area submitted and €3,000.00 per hectare for all subsequent area submitted, up to a maximum of 40 hectares. No premiums available with this element.

See Scheme Document for further details.

Reconstitution of Woodlands Scheme

The objective of this Scheme is to restore the forest and its ecosystem back to its original state following fire, damage caused by natural disaster or pests such as deer, grey squirrel and vole. In such cases the Forest Service grant aids the reconstitution of the plantation if the plantation had been well managed and maintained up to the time it was damaged. Examples of natural causes that most often affect plantations include fire, frost, disease and windblow. The objective of the grant is to repair the damage to plantations by replacing those elements that have been damaged.

The grant is cost based and paid in 2 instalments. The 1st instalment of 75% of total grant payable is payable on completion of the project with the remaining 25% payable 4 years later subject to the satisfactory maintenance of the plantation. No premiums are available under this scheme.

  • Costs to a maximum of €3,927.00/ha for conifers
  • Costs to a maximum of €7,604.00/ha for broadleaves

See Scheme Document for further details.

Wood Biomass Harvesting Machinery Grant Scheme

The Forest Service aims to stimulate the production of wood chip as a fuel by grant aiding the acquisition of Wood Biomass Harvesting Machinery. This grant scheme will favour good silvicultural practice through early thinning, support the development of alternative use for Irish timber, promote forestry as an alternative and environmentally compatible land use, encourage diversification of agricultural activities, improve the marketing of forest products and promote wood biomass as a source of renewable energy in Ireland. The Scheme will assist the development of the supply chain required to process and supply wood biomass to end-users.

The current scheme will grant aid:- Front Fed Mobile Chipper Units, in a once off payment of up to 40% of the actual cost to a maximum of €60,000- Side Fed Mobile Chipper Units, in a once off payment of up to 25% of the actual cost to amaximum of €30,000.

See Scheme Document for further details.

Shaping of Broadleaves

This scheme provides grant aid to owners of broadleaf plantations to shape their plantations thus improving stem quality. Shaping also allows light to reach the forest floor to the benefit of forest biodiversity, and increases forest health and vitality by improving forest stability and reducing the risk of wind-throw. This scheme applies to broadleaf plantations (except Alder) that require additional shaping no more than 3 years after receiving the first shaping. Formative shaping may be carried out on broadleaf plantations (except Alder) at age 3 to 4 years. The cost of this operation is included in the Afforestation 2nd Instalment Grant payment. This scheme provides for additional shaping. This operation will normally occur at around age 6.

The Scheme is cost based and is a once off payment to a maximum of €276.81/ha, payable on satisfactory completion of the project.

See Scheme document for further details.

Woodland Improvement Scheme

The Woodland Improvement Scheme aims to improve existing old woodlands through operations, which include the removal of invasive species that threaten the regeneration of the woodland, thinning pruning and enrichment planting. It involves the use of close to nature silvicultural systems and does not fund clear felling. The scheme is mainly, but not exclusively, directed towards old broadleaf woodlands.

The grant is cost based and paid in 2 instalments. The 1st instalment of 75% of costs or of total grant payable is paid on completion of the project with the remaining 25% paid 4 years after completion subject to satisfactory maintenance of the woodland. No premiums are available under this scheme.

Costs to a maximum of €2540.00/ha for coniferous plantationsCosts to a maximum of €4444.00/ha for broadleaved plantations

See Scheme Document for further details.

Scheme Document (pdf 401Kb)
Specification for Tending and Thinning under Woodland Improvement Scheme (doc 64Kb)

High Pruning of Conifers

The High Pruning of Conifers Scheme aims to improve tree quality by providing grants for existing conifer woodlands that are suitable for pruning. Pruning also improves the forest's visual amenity. The Scheme applies to young (13 - 22 years) conifer woodlands. High Pruning of coniferous woodlands is completed in two stages, 1st lift pruning to a height of 3.5 metres, and 2 - 4 years later 2nd lift high prune from 3.5m to 6.0m.

This grant is cost based and is paid in 2 instalments. The first instalment is at time of 1st lift and is to a maximum of €698.36/ha. The second instalment is paid at 2nd lift stage to a maximum grant of €825.33/ha.

See Scheme Document for further details.

Scheme Document (doc 195Kb) 


Schemes Circulars