€55m windblow scheme opens for storm-hit forest owners
Michael Healy-Rae salutes protesters after resigning from Government last week. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins
Applications have opened for a €55m support scheme aimed at restoring forests damaged by storms Darragh and Éowyn, with affected owners now able to apply through the Department of Agriculture’s online iNET system.
Announcing the launch, agriculture minister Martin Heydon said the Reconstitution Scheme for Windblown Forests would provide critical financial support to private forest owners dealing with the aftermath of severe storm damage in 2025.
“I would encourage all affected forest owners to contact their registered forester and get their application in as soon as possible,” he said, acknowledging the role of former forestry minister Michael Healy-Rae in its opening.
Under the scheme, applications must be submitted by a registered forester on behalf of the forest owner, with detailed guidance, eligibility criteria and mapping requirements available through a department circular and online resources.
The level of financial support available will depend on whether forests were insured for reconstitution at the time of the storms, with grant payments issued in two stages — 75% in the year of replanting and the remaining 25% after four years.
Grant rates vary depending on the type of forest being replanted, with up to €6,744/ha available for native woodland and broadleaf species such as oak and beech. Lower rates apply to mixed and conifer systems, including €3,858/ha for mixed high forests incorporating Sitka spruce.
The department said the scheme was designed to support the timely replanting of damaged areas and help maintain the long-term productivity and sustainability of the forestry sector.
To qualify, applicants must hold a valid felling licence, with existing licence conditions continuing to apply.
Supporting materials, including demonstration videos on the application and mapping process, have been made available to assist foresters, with additional training also planned.
Mr Heydon said efforts had been made to keep the application process as straightforward as possible to ensure applications can be submitted “with clarity and confidence”.
The scheme forms part of a wider response to storm damage across the forestry sector, where significant areas of woodland were impacted by high winds earlier this year.
Industry stakeholders have previously highlighted the importance of timely replanting to avoid long-term losses in productivity and to maintain confidence in the sector.
Further details on the scheme are available on the department’s website.
Michael Healy-Rae stood down as Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry earlier this month, saying he felt the Government had "let the people down" over fuel prices.
Industry representatives have raised concerns over the delay in announcing the next minister for the sector.
“Michael Healy-Rae resigned as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine over a week ago. He had made progress in the sector during his tenure, and it is important that momentum is not lost. To date, no new minister has been appointed," said IFA forestry committee chair Padraig Stapleton, who warned the appointment would come at a critical period for the sector.
"The current Forestry Programme 2023-2027 failed to deliver the Government’s ambitious targets. This is due to successive policy decisions such as restrictions on planting productive land; increasing environmental regulation; rising costs associated with managing small farm forests; unworkable conditions being attached to licences; inadequate compensation for farmers with ash dieback; as well as growing concerns regarding risks to plant health.
“The current development work of the next Forestry Programme 2028-2032 must restore confidence and revive farmers’ interest in planting. Without a minister leading the forestry sector, farmer confidence in the sector cannot be restored.”
