Met Éireann has issued a tender for a company to deliver an expanded daily pollen forecast in a bid to strengthen Ireland’s forecasting capacity ahead of next year’s allergy season.

The notice has been published on the Government’s eTenders platform with a submission deadline of 21 November.

Met Éireann currently provides a daily pollen forecast during the pollen season, which runs from 1 February to 30 September and may be extended when conditions require it. The current Pollen Forecast is provided by the University of Worcester in the UK.

The new tender seeks a provider that can issue a three day forecast, with risk levels for each province and details on predominant pollen types.

The move forms part of a wider effort by the national meteorological service to build up its environmental forecasting operations. In recent years Met Éireann has worked with Dublin City University on real time pollen detection using laser based monitoring, which is intended to support a future nationwide network of automated bioaerosol sensors.

Companies interested in supplying the new service must show proven forecasting experience, strong data modelling systems and the capacity to deliver daily updates before 7am during the season.

If the project results in a full contract the new forecasting system would be integrated into Met Éireann’s website, app and broadcast outputs for the 2026 season. Met Éireann says the service will be operational by mid January 2026 to allow the forecasts to be disseminated to the public from 1st February.

Birch pollen is expected to peak in April with a high risk on dry and sunny days, particularly in eastern counties. Ash pollen will also be airborne and is likely to pose a moderate risk mainly in the east. The tree pollen season will continue with oak pollen from mid April to mid May. Grass pollen is expected to begin in mid May with the peak period forecast for the middle two weeks of June.