Ministers Heydon and Healy-Rae write to public bodies calling on them to plant trees on their lands through department’s flagship Forest Creation on Public Lands scheme
- Published on: 29 July 2025
- Last updated on: 29 July 2025
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, brought a memo to Cabinet today outlining recent engagement that his department has undertaken with all public bodies who own land, encouraging them to consider planting trees under the National Forestry Programme.
Speaking after Cabinet, Minister Heydon said:
“A land use review carried out by my department’s Forest Service has established that there is a large bank of land in public ownership. Public bodies manage at least 8% of national land area and have a critical role to play in delivering on the objectives of the State while also achieving their own sustainability goals.”
The Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety, and Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae, said:
“The government, at all levels, must lead by example. I have written to every local authority, state agency and government department that has land to outline the full range of options available under the Forestry Programme 2023-2027.”
In addition to writing to each public body, the department has produced an outreach leaflet setting out the attractions of Forest Type 3, Forest Creation on Public Lands, as well as other forestry schemes.
Minister Michael Healy Rae continued:
“I am inviting all public bodies to contact my department, and we will provide tailored supports to help identify suitable sites, as well as technical guidance to assist in advancing proposals under the Programme.”
The new Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 offers landowners (including local authorities and state agencies) a broad range of planting options, with grants covering the cost of the establishment of a forest and increased yearly premium payments for up to 15 years.
Minister Healy-Rae stated:
“This offers them an opportunity to convert this underutilised land into long-term green assets, and step-step guidance is available from my department on how to do it.”
This initiative is aimed at forest creation on public lands and supports a range of public policy priorities, including job creation, supporting the local and rural economy, restoring nature, enhancing climate resilience, supporting biodiversity, creating accessible green spaces and fostering a culture of forestry across Ireland.
Minister Healy-Rae concluded:
“The forestry sector employs nearly 9,500 people and is worth over €2 billion to the economy. It contributes to local jobs and the rural economy by providing a supply of sustainable raw material. Forests are also an important local amenity and support our mental and physical health and wellbeing, as well as helping us to achieve our climate goals. I am calling on all public bodies to get in touch and start working with us.”