Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2023
773. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocation to and value of monies paid from the organic processing investment grant scheme in each of the years 2018 to 2023 inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15108/23]
View answer774. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants that received funding from the organic processing investment grant scheme in each of the years 2018 to 2023 inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15109/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 773 and 774 together.
The Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme provides funding to organic processors who wish to invest in developing facilities for the processing, preparation, grading, packing and storage of organic products. It is a demand led scheme and all eligible applications received are assessed based on the terms and conditions of the scheme.
The table below outlines the funding allocation, the level of expenditure and the number of applicants who received funding for years 2018-2023 under the Organic Processing Investment Grant. The scheme has not yet opened for applications for 2023.
|
Year |
No. of Applicants |
Allocation |
Expenditure |
|
2018 |
5 |
€1.2m |
€46,636 |
|
2019 |
5 |
€1.2m |
€133,605 |
|
2020 |
2 |
€1.2m |
€299,759 |
|
2021 |
3 |
€1.2m |
€500,200 |
|
2022 |
2 |
€1.2m |
€152,858 |
|
2023 |
n/a |
€1.2m |
n/a |
I am fully committed to the development of the organic sector in Ireland. The current Programme for Government includes a target of 7.5% of land area to be farmed organically over the lifetime of this Government. We are well on the way to achieving this target as there has been a two-fold increase in farmers converting to organic farming since 2022 and I am confident this will lead to a corresponding increase in applications for funding in the organic processing sector. In this regard, I will ensure there is sufficient funding in place to satisfy this anticipated increase in demand.
