Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
296. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to support the horticultural sector; if consideration would be given to the establishment of a targeted financial support scheme to assist with rising production costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33295/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department continues to support the horticulture industry in Ireland with a range of initiatives.
The National Exchequer funded 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector has an increased budget of €10 million and is currently open for applications. The Scheme is open to growers in all horticultural sectors including beekeeping and provides grant at a rate of up to 40% (50% for young farmers) on capital investments in specialised plant and equipment.
The 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for Energy Efficiency, Automation and Processing for Commercial Mushroom Producers and the 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for Commercial Non-Primary Producers in the Mushroom Sector and for Peat Replacement by Commercial Mushroom Producers are two Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funded schemes which are currently open for applications with a total budget of €5 million. These schemes are intended to assist in increasing the efficiency and sustainability of the mushroom sector.
The BAR funded 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Seed Potato Sector and Chipping Potato Sector has a budget of €3.1 million to help in the development of capacity in these sectors. The EU funded Producer Organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables delivered €4.2 million in aid for the industry in 2022. Similar levels of aid will be payable for 2023 activities.
To address some of the challenges being faced across the horticulture sectors, the recently published National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 identified eight Key Strategic Actions the implementation of which aim to support the long term viability of the horticulture industry.
My Department continues to engage with the sector in relation to current challenges.
