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Community Development Projects

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021

Wednesday, 24 February 2021

Ceisteanna (1092)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

1092. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department will publish a plan to work with local authorities and communities to help develop community gardens, allotments and urban orchards as detailed in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10199/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department, in the context of cross-cutting actions under the Programme for Government, is engaging with other relevant Departments to explore options on how local authorities and communities can develop community gardens, allotments and urban orchards.

Initiatives that help bring rural, local communities working together on horticulture and related activities can lead to great benefits to communities through promoting access to healthy food and a shared learning of food production and of the environment in which we live.

In line with this, I recently launched a call for new locally-led farm and community biodiversity initiatives, a €1.25 million initiative. This provides an opportunity for interested bodies to bring forward creative ideas to enhance biodiversity at local level. The scheme provides for farmers to work with each other, with other bodies and with local communities on biodiversity. The grants will be open to applications from farming groups, community groups and any other relevant organisations.

In addition, my Department’s Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector assists in the development of the horticulture sector, including beekeeping, by grant aiding capital investments to small and medium sized businesses. Grant aid is also available under this scheme for the establishment of commercial orchards and associated equipment.

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