Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023–2027
Purpose
In March 2013 the Department introduced its first Reconstitution Scheme for ash dieback affected forests to restore forests established under the afforestation scheme which had
suffered from, or which were associated with plants affected by disease.
Currently the disease levels are such that it is no longer appropriate to manage ash as a crop and the objective now is to replace ash trees with alternative species.
Financial support can be made available for:
- Site clearance: This involves the clearance of ash trees and associated operations in order to present the site for reconstitution.
- Reconstitution: This involves the replacement of ash trees with alternative species following ash clearance. The following Forest Types (Brief overview of forest establishment grant rates) are available for replanting:
- FT1 Native forests
- FT6 Broadleaf, mainly oak and beech
- FT7 Diverse Broadleaf
- FT8 Agroforestry
- FT10 Continuous Cover Forestry
- FT11 Mixed high forests: Diverse Conifer
- FT12 Mixed high forests with Sitka Spruce and minimum 20% broadleaves
Grant aid levels
The reconstitution will be paid in three instalments:
- Application for the Site Clearance Grant.
- Application for the first Instalment Grant and top up premium payment may be made following the reconstitution of the treated area (75%).
- Application for the second Instalment Grant may be made four years after the site is successfully reconstituted (25%).
| Support for site clearance | Support for reconstitution | Continuation of premiums |
|---|---|---|
| €2,000/ha cleared | Reconstitution grant will be paid at the appropriate rate, based on species mix planted and associated Forest Type, described in the Afforestation Scheme:
See Brief overview of forest establishment grant rates for further details. |
Premium payments will continue for the period remaining on the afforestation premiums. For sites undergoing reconstitution where the replacement species results in a change of GPC, the annual premium will be adjusted to reflect the new GPC rate under the original planting programme.
An additional top up premium will be paid equivalent to the difference between the ongoing premium and the associated Forest Type (FT) premium as described in the afforestation scheme proposed under the Forestry Programme 2023-2027. This top up will be calculated for the remaining years of premium and paid in a single sum. For those in receipt of non-farmer rate of premium, a top up €300 will be paid per hectare, calculated for the remaining period left in premium and paid in a single sum. |
Further payment scheme available through the Climate Action Performance Payment Scheme:
Information on the Climate Action Performance Payment Scheme which is open for applications to forest owners who have cleared and reconstituted their forests through the Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023-2027 is available at this link: Climate Action Performance Payment ash dieback
Further information
- Full details of the Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023–2027
- Contact your local Teagasc Forestry Adviser
- Forestry Division, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co Wexford, phone 053-9163400, email forestryinfo@agriculture.gov.ie
