Key facts
- Information evenings for forest owners affected by Storm Éowyn are planned for Galway and Cavan.
- The events will focus on the Windblow Reconstitution Scheme and 2026 grant eligibility.
- A total of €55 million in support is available through the scheme for forests affected by storms Darragh and Éowyn.
- Grant rates vary based on replanting species, with native forests receiving €6,744 per hectare.
- Applications for the scheme are open, requiring engagement with a registered forester and a valid felling licence.
Two free information evenings are scheduled for June 9 in Co. Galway and June 10 in Co. Cavan, hosted by Forestry Services Ltd. and Euroforest Ireland. These events aim to provide forest owners, landowners, and Coillte partnership owners affected by Storm Éowyn with practical guidance on the Windblow Reconstitution Scheme and 2026 grant eligibility. The scheme offers a total of €55 million in support for forest owners impacted by storms Darragh and Éowyn. Topics covered will include the application process, land value, replanting considerations, and accessing grants. To apply for the scheme, forest owners must engage a registered forester and possess a valid felling licence. Grant payments are disbursed in two installments: 75% upon replanting and the remaining 25% after four years. Specific grant rates per hectare are provided for various replanting species, including native forests (€6,744/ha), broadleaf (€6,744/ha), diverse broadleaf (€4,314/ha), continuous cover forestry (€5,421/ha), mixed high forests with diverse conifer (€4,452/ha), and mixed high forests with Sitka spruce and coniferous high forest (€3,858/ha).