Minister Collins unveils Ireland’s 2026 forest report
The Department of Agriculture has released its comprehensive annual report detailing the state of Irish forestry. The 2026 publication highlights afforestation progress, storm damage impact, and sector supports, emphasising forestry’s vital role in Ireland’s land use and economy.
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Gov.ie / MerrionStreet
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⏱️ 2 min read
Minister of State Niall Collins TD has officially launched the Forest Statistics Ireland 2026 report, providing an in-depth overview of the country's forestry sector. This annual publication consolidates a wide array of data, reflecting that forests now cover nearly 12% of Ireland’s land area, a testament to decades of sustained afforestation efforts.
The report also addresses the challenges posed by severe windstorms at the start of 2025, which affected approximately 27,400 hectares and damaged around 10 million cubic metres of timber. This led to an 18% increase in roundwood removals compared to the previous year, with privately owned forests accounting for 57% of the total timber harvested. Minister Collins acknowledged the difficulties these storms created while praising the sector’s effective response in salvaging windblown timber.
Afforestation rates rose by nearly 1,000 hectares in 2025, reaching a total of 2,527 hectares, with Roscommon and Cork leading in new forest creation. The Department invested €79 million in forest maintenance, infrastructure, and afforestation supports. The Minister encouraged landowners to integrate forestry into their farming enterprises, noting the growing presence of broadleaf species as part of Ireland’s Nature Restoration plans. Fieldwork for the fifth National Forest Inventory began in 2026, ensuring up-to-date data to support national and international forestry commitments. The full report is accessible via the Department’s official website.
The report also addresses the challenges posed by severe windstorms at the start of 2025, which affected approximately 27,400 hectares and damaged around 10 million cubic metres of timber. This led to an 18% increase in roundwood removals compared to the previous year, with privately owned forests accounting for 57% of the total timber harvested. Minister Collins acknowledged the difficulties these storms created while praising the sector’s effective response in salvaging windblown timber.
Afforestation rates rose by nearly 1,000 hectares in 2025, reaching a total of 2,527 hectares, with Roscommon and Cork leading in new forest creation. The Department invested €79 million in forest maintenance, infrastructure, and afforestation supports. The Minister encouraged landowners to integrate forestry into their farming enterprises, noting the growing presence of broadleaf species as part of Ireland’s Nature Restoration plans. Fieldwork for the fifth National Forest Inventory began in 2026, ensuring up-to-date data to support national and international forestry commitments. The full report is accessible via the Department’s official website.
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