The new Forestry Programme is an important milestone for the future development of the sector and a vote of confidence in an industry which contributed €2.3 billion to GDP in 2012, according to Minister of State Tom Hayes.

He said the objective of the programme is to support the planting of over 43,000 hectares of new forests as well as support for the construction of up to 690 kilometres of new forest roads.

Another important feature is substantial funding towards protecting and enhancing Irish native woodlands. ,

Under the Native Woodlands Conservation Scheme, almost 2,000 hectares of these forests will be eligible for support, he said.

A series of nationwide meetings, which will continue until January 30, have been organised.

Teagasc is encouraging anyone with a forest or considering establishing one to attend the meetings as important changes to the grant structure has been introduced.

It will consist of 11 separate measures and will involve total new spending of €262 million and a further €220 million in future commitments from 2020, mostly in relation to premium payments.

 

(Source – Irish Examiner – 21/01/2015)

New Forestry Programme 2014 – 2020
Public Information Meetings

19 – 30 January 2015

This nationwide series of information meetings runs from 19 to 30 January 2015. All meetings start at 7.30pm.

Teagasc in association with the Forest Service have organised a nationwide series of information meetings to present the newly announced Forestry Programme 2014-2020. These meetings will take place between 19 and 30 January.

At these meetings, the new forestry grant schemes as well as key differences with the previous schemes will be discussed. Key differences include that new forestry premiums will now be paid for a period of 15 years instead of 20; a significant budget increase and focus for native woodland conservation; a requirement within various water sensitive areas to include a Native Woodland Establishment plot; the introduction of a single premium rate (i.e. no distinction between farmers and non-farmers) and an improved forest road construction scheme with improved grant rates.

New Forestry Programme Information Meetings
County	Location	Venue	Date All meetings starts at 7.30 pm	Contact details
Cavan	Ballyhaise	BallyhaiseCollege	Tuesday 27	Kevin O’Connell
Clare	Ennis	Teagasc Office	Monday 19	Michael Somers
Cork	Macroom	Teagasc Office	Monday 26	John Casey
Cork	Mallow	Teagasc Office	Monday 19	John Casey
Cork	Midleton	Teagasc Office	Wednesday 21	John Casey
Cork	Skibbereen	Teagasc Office	Tuesday 27	John Casey
Donegal	Carndonagh	Inishowen Co-Op	Tuesday 27	Steven Meyen
Donegal	Letterkenny	Teagasc Office	Thursday 22	Steven Meyen
Galway	Athenry	Teagasc Mellows Campus	Thursday 22	Noel Kennedy
Kerry	Killarney	Teagasc Office	Tuesday 20	Tom Houlihan
Kildare	Naas	Teagasc Office	Thursday 29	Liam Kelly
Kilkenny	KilkennyCity	Teagasc Office	Wednesday 28	Michael Somers
Laois	Portlaoise	Teagasc Office	Thursday 22	Liam Kelly
Leitrim	Mohill	Teagasc Office	Tuesday 20	Steven Meyen
Limerick	Newcastlewest	Teagasc Office	Tuesday 27	Tom Houlihan
Longford	Longford	Teagasc Office	Tuesday 27	Liam Kelly
Louth	Navan	Teagasc Office	Wednesday 28	Kevin O’Connell
Mayo	Claremorris	McWilliam Park Hotel	Tuesday 27	Noel Kennedy
Meath	Navan	Teagasc Office	Wednesday 28	Kevin O’Connell
Monaghan	Monaghan	Teagasc Office	Thursday 29	Kevin O’Connell
Offaly	Tullamore	Teagasc Office	Tuesday 20	Liam Kelly
Roscommon	Roscommon	Teagasc Office	Wednesday 21	Noel Kennedy
Sligo	Ballymote	Teagasc Office	Wednesday 21	Steven Meyen
Tipperary	Limerick Junction	Ballykisteen Hotel	Thursday 22	Tom Houlihan
Tipperary	Thurles	Teagasc Office	Wednesday 21	Michael Somers
Waterford	Dungarvan	Teagasc Office	Tuesday 20	John Casey
Westmeath	Mullingar	Teagasc Office	Monday 19	Liam Kelly
Wexford	Enniscorthy	Teagasc Office	Wednesday 28	Frances McHugh
Wicklow	Tinahely	Teagasc Office	Wednesday 21	Frances McHugh