The closing date for receipt of applications is 23 January 2015 and only investments which commence after the issue of the respective letter of approval will be eligible for aid. The scheme is open to all horticultural sectors:

  • protected crops

  • nursery crops

  • field vegetables

  • soft fruit

  • apples

  • beekeeping

  • mushrooms

    • It will provide grant aid, at a rate of 40% (50% in the case of qualifying young farmers), for approved capital investments undertaken by 2 October 2015.

    For the first time, investments which cannot be physically completed within the year of being approved, can now be facilitated under the scheme through agreement. This will allow a limited number of duly justified projects to be approved, if appropriate, for completion by 30 September 2016.

    Launching the scheme, Minister of State for Horticulture said the scheme “is vital to improving growers’ competitiveness and the quality of output as well as allowing growers innovate and diversify production in accordance with the objectives set for the horticultural sector in Food Harvest 2020, as well as the Horticultural Action Group Report.”

    Details of the Scheme and application forms can be obtained from Crop Policy, Production and Safety Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Administration Building, Backweston Campus, Young’s Cross, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, (01) 5058886 or at www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmingsectors/horticulture/horticultureschemes/.