Fencing Grant

Forests must be fully protected from the time of planting. 

There is no requirement to duplicate existing stock-proof fences, rivers, substantial walls, or other stock-proof boundaries with additional fencing. However, electric fencing is not acceptable.

The maximum fencing claim is €50,000 per forest.

The fencing grant rate depends on the type of fence required and whether the stakes are certified to Irish Standard 436.

Irish Standard 436

Irish Standard 436 aims to give an anticipated service life of 15 years where timber posts are in contact with the ground. IS 436 covers a number of technical specifications such as permitted timber species, post sizes and diameters, timber preservatives, pre-treatment drying requirements and labelling / traceability.

Only companies certified by the NSAI or equivalent can supply IS 436 fencing stakes. IS 436 certificates are produced in duplicate: the registration holder retains the original copy and gives the second copy to the person / company purchasing the posts. Registered suppliers of IS 436 timber fencing are available on the NSAI website www.nsai.ie.

Non-IS 436 fencing

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine encourages the use of the IS 436 standard. However, new fences that do not meet this standard can also be grant-aided but at a lower rate and allowance per hectare.

Deer fencing

All deer fencing must be approved in advance. Only sites where at least 70% of the area enclosed by the deer fence comprises broadleaves and species in the categories FT 1 to 11 are eligible.

Fencing rates

Table: IS 436 fencing rates

Table: Non-IS 436 fencing rates

Further information

• Contact your local Teagasc Forestry Adviser 
• See also the Deer Tree Shelter, Hare and Deer Fencing Scheme