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Andrew Doyle T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Horticulture has announced a targeted re-opening of the 2018 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector.

Re-opening the Scheme, Minister Doyle outlined how a number of horticultural growers had suffered severe losses due to Storm Emma. He said “these growers now have a window of opportunity to apply for grant aid to assist them to invest in specialised horticultural buildings and /or equipment to assist their business to recover.”

The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector grant aids capital investments in specialised plant and equipment in the horticulture sector with an objective to promote the diversification of on-farm activities, improve the quality of products, facilitate environmentally friendly practices and improve working conditions.

The 2018 Scheme had closed for applications as normal last December. However in light of Storm Emma many growers now need to re-prioritise their investment plans. The Minister also emphasised this was a targeted re-opening of the scheme which will only deal with horticultural growers that are proposing investments, having suffered damage.

The Scheme will provide grant aid at a rate of 40% (50% for approved growers under 35 years of age) for approved capital investments. Closing date for receipt of applications is 27th April 2018.

Note for editors.
Details of the scheme and application forms can be obtained at:
www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmingsectors/horticulture/horticultureschemes or from:
Crop Policy, Production and Safety Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Administration Building, Backweston Campus, Young’s Cross, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, W23 X3PH
Telephone: 01-5058886.