The Horticulture Investment Scheme has been re-opened by the Department of Agriculture in light of severe storm damage caused by storm Emma.

Minister of State for the Department 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 provides grant aid for capital investment in specialised plant and equipment for the horticulture sector.

Grant aid is provided at a rate of 40% or 50% for approved growers under 35.

IFA horticulture chair Paul Brophy, had called on the Department to support the sector after storm Emma.

He said many growers in the soft fruit and nursery stock sectors in particular had experienced devastating damage due to the heavy snowfall.

“Between collapsed growing structures and subsequent loss of plants, it is estimated that the final cost of the snow storm will exceed €5m," Brophy stated.

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