Forest cover in Ireland is only 11%, which clearly below EU27 average of 38%. Ireland aims at increasing afforestation rate from current 2,000 ha per annum to 8,000 ha per annum by launching EUR 1.3 billion forestry support programme. The programme has been recently approved by the European Commission and it removes bottlenecks especially in afforestation and forest road construction activities.

The Programme is the main implementation mechanism for the new Irish Forest Strategy 2023-2030. It is built around the principle of “right trees in the right places for the right reasons with the right management”. The Programme aims at creating new diverse forests which will meet multiple societal objectives, economic, social, and environmental.

In long term Ireland aims at achieving 18% forest cover. This will require new afforestation on 500,000 ha area, and EUR 10 billion investment in land acquisition and planting activity.

Planting trees is one of the most effective methods of tackling climate change as well as contributing to improved biodiversity and water quality.

For more information, see https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/a53e3-european-commission-approves-afforestation-measures-in-forestry-programme-2023-2027/