Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023
465. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the horticultural exceptional payment scheme (HEPS) in 2022; the number of successful applications and the number refused; the average payment made under HEPS in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32591/23]
View answerThe Horticulture Exceptional Payment Scheme (HEPS) was a support measure introduced in 2022 with a budget of €2.8 million. The Scheme was launched as part of a package of support measures announced by the EU Commission providing for exceptional adjustment aid to producers in the agricultural sectors.
HEPS provided a once-off payment to growers in those horticulture sub-sectors most affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The subsectors at most risk and included under the Scheme included commercial growers in the glasshouse high-wire crops, field vegetable, mushroom and apple sectors.
A total of 149 applications were received under the Horticultural Exceptional Payment Scheme (HEPS) in 2022. 134 applicants received payment under the Scheme with the remaining 15 being deemed ineligible for payment for varying reasons. Payments to growers in the sectors of high-wire crops, field vegetables and apples were made on an area basis (per hectare) for crops grown in 2022. For mushrooms, payments were calculated on the level of mushrooms sold and were based on the quantity (weight in kilograms) of mushrooms sold over the period from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022.
The average payment on a per sector basis is outlined in the table below.
|
Sector |
Average Payment |
|
Glasshouse/Highwire |
€82,910 |
|
Field Vegetables |
€11,417 |
|
Apples |
€11,325 |
|
Mushrooms |
€31,299 |
