Forestry machinery grant scheme is launched

Minister of State for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture Michael Healy-Rae has announced the opening of the second tranche of the Innovative Forest Technology Scheme, which will provide grant aid for the purchase of sustainable forest harvesting machinery.

The scheme is aimed at forestry contractors and timber hauliers and will support investment in modern and specialised equipment designed to improve productivity, sustainability and operator safety.

“This grant will continue to assist with the procurement of modern, efficient, and increasingly specialised machinery and equipment for forest operations,” Minister Healy-Rae said. “The new equipment and machinery supported under this scheme will be a benefit not only in terms of productivity and sustainability, but will also provide for better operator safety, ensuring that the forestry industry can continue to operate safely.”

The funding will cover machinery that can be used to clear and extract trees from reconstitution sites, including those affected by ash dieback disease. It is also expected to increase harvest capacity and assist in the mobilisation of windblown timber following storms such as Darragh and Éowyn.

The scheme will provide grant aid of up to 65 per cent of the accepted net cost of capital investments, with a minimum eligible spend of €5,000 excluding VAT and a maximum grant of €50,000.

Applications must be submitted by Thursday, October 23rd, 2025. Further details and application forms are available on the Department of Agriculture’s website.