Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
961. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what financial support schemes and incentives are in place to support Irish vegetable growers in the horticulture sector; if he will consider the provision of additional financial supports in view of increased fuel, fertiliser, seed and labour costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48802/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware and fully appreciate the many challenges that horticulture growers have experienced in 2023 as a result of continued high costs of production and reduced output prices. These challenges were further compounded by the unfavourable weather conditions throughout the 2023 growing season.
In recognition of these challenges I secured €2.382 million under the EU Agricultural Reserve for the horticulture sector. The Horticulture Crisis Fund is now open for applications until 8 November 2023. The horticulture sub-sectors included in this scheme are field vegetables (excluding potatoes), high-wire glasshouse grown tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, brown mushrooms, field grown salad crops, energy reliant protected crops (heated strawberries and vertically grown greens) and apples. The Scheme will provide a once-off payment to eligible applicants. The scheme seeks to ensure the short-term security and thus the long-term viability of growers in these sub-sectors.
My Department continues to support the horticulture industry in Ireland with a range of initiatives including the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector. I secured €10 million in the recent Budget for the 2024 Scheme which is due to open shortly for applications.
The EU funded Producer Organisation Scheme for Fruit and Vegetables, administered by my Department, provides an invaluable support to the horticulture sector. The Scheme delivered €4.2 million in aid in 2022 and similar levels of aid will be payable for 2023 activities.
Earlier this year, together with my colleague, Minister Pippa Hackett, I launched the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027. The stakeholder led Strategy sets down a clear vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability and provides a roadmap for the sector to achieve this potential. I am committed to seeing this sector grow and flourish in the years ahead and my Department, together with stakeholders, are working collaboratively to progress all actions in this strategy.
