Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 June 2022
211. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1961 of 14 June 2022, his proposals to address the continued undersubscription of the organic processing investment grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34740/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme provides funding to 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.
I am fully committed to the development of the organic sector in Ireland. The current Programme for Government contains a commitment to align Ireland’s organic land area with that of the current EU average of approximately 7.5% over the lifetime of this Government. This I believe will lead to a corresponding increase in applications for funding in the organic processing sector and I will ensure there is sufficient budget in place to meet this anticipated increase in demand.
Minister of State Pippa Hackeet will lead a high-level trade mission to Germany next month for the organic sector to help promote organic Irish food and drink in the German market. It is through initiatives like these that we will continue to develop the sector at production and processing level.
