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Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Horticulture, Andrew Doyle, announced the opening of the 2019 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector.

Launching the Scheme Minister Doyle said;

The annual budget for the Scheme has been increased by €1m to €6m for 2019 reflecting this Government's commitment to the sector especially in light of the emerging challenges and potential opportunities arising from Brexit.

The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector is a competitive scheme open to all horticultural sectors – field vegetables, mushrooms, protected food crops, amenity crops, soft fruit, apples and beekeeping and will provide grant aid, at a rate of 40%, for approved capital investments. The Closing date for receipt of applications is 19th December 2018.

The Minister added;

Last year Ireland’s horticulture sector contributed over €430m to the value of output at farm-gate level and is estimated to be directly responsible for over 6,600 jobs with many more employed indirectly both upstream and downstream. The sector has strong potential for growth and Brexit may provide opportunities for some sectors within the industry although it also presents challenges most notably for the mushroom sector given its dependence on the UK market.

Note for editors.

Details of the scheme and application forms can be obtained at: agriculture.gov.ie or from:
Horticulture and Plant Health Division,Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Administration Building, Backweston Campus, Young’s Cross, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, W23 X3PH Tel: 01 5058886.