Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
615. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a breakdown of the number of individuals and companies/corporations that are in receipt of premiums of less than €5000, between €5000 and €10000, between €10000 and €15000 between €15000 and €20000 and over €20000 per annum. [68474/26]
View answerThe grants available under the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme include an annual income tax free premium payment for applicants, and these are made for a period of 20 years for applicants with farmer status and 15 years for other applicants. The status of applicants is differentiated between farmers and other applicants, and both categories will include individuals and corporate entities. The table below details the monetary amount of premia paid from 1 January to 31 August 2026 to both farmers and other applicants. It should be noted that the figures represent the recipients who received an annual premium within each of the thresholds - not cumulative payments as some applicants own more than one plantation and also that “banking of premiums” often occurs, this is where individuals choose to allow their premiums build-up, to claim at a future date.
The attached Table 2 details a threshold breakdown of premia from 2020 to 2025 and was previously supplied in reply to PQ 45132/26.
Forest owners who have not submitted their online applications so far, can still apply online for their forestry premiums through the Department’s Online Services website (www.agfood.ie). This facility remains open all year, and the department will continue to process online applications for forest premiums as they are received, with payments being issued on a weekly basis.
|
|
2026 Afforestation Scheme Annual Premium Payment Recipients by Threshold |
|
|
|
|
|
|
less than €5,000 |
€5,000 - €10,000 |
€10,000 - €15,000 |
€15,000 - €20,000 |
more than €20,000 |
|
Farmer |
5,081 |
1,159 |
69 |
61 |
37 |
|
Non-Farmer |
1,404 |
335 |
194 |
18 |
8 |
|
Total YTD @ 31.08.2026 |
6,485 |
1,494 |
263 |
79 |
45 |
Table 2 - Afforestation Scheme Annual Premium Payment Recipients by Threshold 2021 to 2025
(All applicants)
|
Year |
less than €5,000 |
€5,000 - €10,000 |
€10,000 - €20,000 |
€20,000 - €50,000 |
more than €50,000 |
|
2021 |
8,765 |
2,073 |
453 |
30 |
0 |
|
2022 |
8,253 |
1,910 |
400 |
35 |
0 |
|
2023 |
8,157 |
1,842 |
391 |
36 |
0 |
|
2024 |
7,573 |
1,684 |
366 |
40 |
0 |
|
2025 |
7,206 |
1,604 |
345 |
45 |
0 |
|
39,954 |
9,113 |
1,955 |
186 |
0 |
