Resources

Ash Dieback

For forest owners with ash plantations, dealing with the devastating impact of ash dieback disease is a daunting process. There are some financial supports in place for the removal of the diseased trees and replanting the site (which is a legal requirement), as well as a Climate Action Performance Payment (CAPP) of €5,000 per hectare, paid directly to forest owners.

There are numerous steps involved in the process of reconstitution the site and accessing the CAPP scheme. Here, we detail these steps in an effort to help forest owners navigate this complex process. 

Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme (RADS)

This scheme provides financial support for site clearance of €2,000 per hectare, as well as for replanting (reconstitution) and site maintenance for four years after replanting.

Getting started

  • Make contact with a registered forester.
  • Decide what you want to replant the site with. Available options are FT1, FT6, FT7, FT8, FT10, FT11 and FT12 (see table below).
  •  Forester submits RADS application to Forest Service.
  •  Application assessed by Forest Service.
  • Approval letter* sent to forester and forest owner. 

*RADS approval may have additional conditions (archaeological, silvicultural and/or environmental) and it is the responsibility of the forest owner to ensure all works are carried out in compliance with these conditions.

Table of Contents

Site Clearance

Option 1: Contractor clears the trees but timber left on site

Forest owner pays contractor an agreed price and keeps the timber.

Option 2: Contractor clears the trees and takes the timber

Cost neutral or forest owner receives a payment from the contractor for the timber.

Financial outcome for forest owner depends on volume and quality of the standing ash trees.

  • Form 2 Site Clearance Claim submitted by forester.
  • Site inspection by Forest Service inspector.
  • Payment to forest owner of €2,000/Ha. 

Replanting

Option 1: Replanting mandated to forester/forestry company

Option 2: Forest owner undertakes ground works and replanting

  • Ground works and replanting completed and paid for by forester (option 1) or forest owner (option 2).
  • Form 2(a) 1st instalment grant submitted by forester.
  • Site inspection by Forest Service inspector.
  • Payment of 75% of the replanting grant amount to forester (option 1) or forest owner (option 2) following successful inspection.

Application for 1st instalment of CAPP can now be made by forest owner

Maintenance

Option 1: Maintenance mandated to forester/company

Option 2: Forest owner undertakes all site maintenance

  • Site maintained, including vegetation control, failed tree replacement and payment for such, by forester (option 1) or forest owner (option 2).
  • After 4 years, form 3 2nd instalment grant submitted by forester.
  • Site inspection by Forest Service inspector. 

  • Payment of remaining 25% of the replanting grant amount to forester (option 1) or forest owner (option 2) following successful inspection.

Application for 2nd instalment of CAPP can now be made by forest owner

Notes on maintenance

  • A site with ash dieback will invariably have well-established competing species, such as brambles and ferns, that are difficult to maintain.
  • The site needs to be inspected on a regular basis by the forest owner.
  • Regular and timely maintenance is essential.
  • Later maintenance on these sites is very costly.
  • Ultimately, responsibility for the successful reconstitution of the forest rests with the forest owner.

Costs to forest owner

  • Payment to forester for all applications/forms submitted, except in cases where the grant has been mandated.
  • Payment for any environmental or archaeological surveys/reports requested by the Forest Service.

Climate Action Performance Payment (CAPP) Scheme

General Information

  • Only open to forest owners of grant-aided ash plantations who have had their sites cleared and replanted through one of the Department’s Ash Dieback Reconstitution Schemes.
  • Application to CAPP scheme is done by the forest owner (see instructions on how to apply below).
  • Total payable to forest owner is €5,000/Ha. over 3 installments, spanning several years.
  • Scheme opened August 2024.
  • Payments exempt from income tax but subject to PRSI and USC.

Payment Schedule

1st instalment of CAPP €2,500/Ha

Application can be made after the 1st instalment grant (replanting grant) payment has been made.

2nd instalment of CAPP €1,250/Ha

Application can be made after the 2nd instalment grant (4 years after replanting) payment has made and the forest owner is out of premiums or at the end of their premiums (i.e. the forest owner must be out of premiums before application for the 2nd instalment).

3rd instalment of CAPP €1,250/Ha

Application can be made one year after the 2nd instalment of CAPP has been received; that is 5 years after site has been replanted.

Download Guide

Examples

Example 1

  • Out of premiums
  • 1st instalment of RADS grant (after replanting) paid in 2024
  • 2nd instalment of RADS paid in 2028

CAPP payments

1st  CAPP    2024

2nd CAPP    2028

3rd  CAPP   2029 

Example 2

  • Premiums end in 2029
  • 1st instalment of RADS grant (after replanting) paid in 2024
  • 2nd instalment of RADS paid in 2028

CAPP payments

1st  CAPP   2024

2nd CAPP   2029

3rd  CAPP  2030

Example 3

  • Out of premiums
  • Both 1st and 2nd instalments of RADS grant have been paid

CAPP payments

1st  CAPP  2024

2nd  CAPP  2025

3rd  CAPP  2026

Example 4

  • Premiums end 2027
  • Both 1st and 2nd instalment of RADS grant have been paid

CAPP payments

1st  CAPP  2024

2nd CAPP  2027

3rd CAPP  2028

CAPP application procedure

Applications can apply online for the Climate Action Performance Payment (CAPP) as follows:

  • Log on to www.agfood.ie
  • Enter your Username
  • Enter the requested digits from your Personal Access Code (PAC) 
  • Enter your Password 
  • Select logon
  • Select Forestry Grants & Premiums from the menu of applications 
  • Select option to Apply or update your Climate Action Performance Payment 
  • Select a contract by highlight your contract number 
  • Select Start Submission
  • De minimis declaration will be displaced 
  • You will be given the option to select ‘yes‘ (I have received other de minimis payments in addition to those payments listed in table 1) or ‘no‘ (I have not received any other de minimis payments besides those listed in table 1) 
  • If you select ‘no‘ the click Save the Declaration and continue 
  • If you select ‘yes‘ you must complete relevant details in the tables provided where appropriate and when complete, click Save the Declaration and continue 
  • Enter the original Afforestation Contract Number
  • Tick the box for ‘I/we confirm that I/we are the current landowner(s)‘
  • Enter the Folio Number if known
  • Tick the box for ‘I/we confirm that the forest area affected by ash dieback has been replanted, is growing satisfactorily and the trees in the reconstitution are being maintained‘
  • Tick ‘I accept these terms and conditions and wish to proceed‘
  • Tick ‘I confirm that the ash trees have been cleared…‘
  • Submit your application
  • If you have more than one contract, select home and then repeat the process for the next contract  
 

If you have not already registered with the Department’s online service (www.agfood.ie), you will need to do so in the first instance. Once registered, you will obtain a Username and Password, you will be able to log-in through the Department’s website and submit your CAPP application. If you require assistance registering with the Online Services, you can contact the Online Helpdesk on 049-4368288 or at agfood@agriculture.gov.ie.

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford. Telephone 053-9163425.

Alternatively, you can contact the relevant section by email. 

Reconstitution Scheme        forestryappenq@agriculture.gov.ie

CAPP Scheme                   forestry.CAPPayments@agriculture.gov.ie

Table 1: Forest types and replanting grant amounts available to forest owners under RADS

Ref
Forest Type
Grant/Ha
FT1
Native forests
€6,744
FT6
Broadleaf, mainly oak/beech
€6,744
FT7
Diverse broadleaf
€4,314
FT8
Agroforestry
€8,555
FT10
Continuous Cover Forestry
€5,452
FT11
Mixed high forests: diverse conifer, minimum 20% broadleaves
€4,452
FT12
Mixed high forests: mainly Sitka spruce, minimum 20% broadleaves
€3,858
Download Guide

Links

Supporting and representing forest owners across Ireland through a vibrant producer group network

Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin Envelope

Quick Links

Company

Terms

© Irish Forest Owners 2024

Sign up to our newsletter

Enter your email below to stay up to date with news and events from Irish Forest Owners.