The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) issued 57 afforestation licences in January relating to 389ha.

This marks an increase on the 351ha which were issued with licences in the same month last year.

Last week, a further 8 afforestation licences were granted (39ha) bringing the total to 429ha across 65 licences.

The latest forestry dashboard published by the department for the week ending February 7 shows that 44 valid afforestation applications have been submitted so far this year.

The data also shows that 161ha of forestry has been planted since the start of 2025.

However, the department noted that this figure reflect afforestation that has been paid at first grant stage this year to date only, including the Native Area Tree Scheme (NTAS).

Since the beginning of the year, department officials have issued 87 private felling licences and 26 Coillte licences covering a total of 1,444ha.

There has been 91 applications for private felling and 173 applications from Coillte for felling.

41 licences have been issued for 15km forestry roads this year,20 applications have been lodged with DAFM. The data shows that 10km of forestry roads were constructed by February 8.

The department confirmed that it has received 7 afforestation appeals, a further three relating to forest roads and one on tree felling.

There has been 37 licences issued so far this year for the Reconstitution of Ash Dieback Scheme, relating to 131ha.

14 licences have been approved for the NTAS (16ha), 12 for the Woodland Improvement Scheme (71ha) and three for the Deer Tree Shelter scheme (29ha).

One licence has been issued for the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme this year for 5ha.

The Social, Economic, and Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland (SEEFA) said that last week marked the second consecutive week that the department issued fewer than 35 licences.

"Of those issued [last] week, only 8 were for afforestation, while just 15 felling licences and 3 road licences were granted.

"We are already falling significantly behind in all areas, and the impact of recent storms will only exacerbate the challenges posed by these low licensing numbers.

"With hundreds of hectares of windblown forests, it is vital that forest clearing and infrastructure work move forward more rapidly than ever," the association said.

SEEFA is currently collaborating with DAFM and other stakeholders to address storm recovery and related issues.

"In the meantime, however, it remains critical that we maintain our focus on licensing and forestry promotion to prevent further setbacks in the sector," the association said.