Forestry sector ‘can double jobs’ to 32,000 if forest cover increased

THE €2 billion a year Irish forest industry, which employs 16,000 people, can double in size, providing sustainable jobs, rooted in rural Ireland.

That’s the view of the Donegal Woodland Owners Society, which says Ireland could double its forest cover by 2030.

It points to superb growth rates for forestry, rising demand for timber products and land available for further afforestation as reasons for making the prediction.