Support for North Dublin growers

Date: 14/01/2011
Posted by: Darragh

Growers in North Dublin can now apply for grant aid from the Department of Agriculture for investment in projects in the horticulture sector.

Applications can now be made for the fourth round of the Grant Aid Scheme for the Commercial Horticulture Sector. Growers in North Dublin will be in a position to benefit from this and I would encourage them to make applications before the closing date on Friday 18th February.

The scheme covers all horticultural sectors – protected crops, nursery crops, field vegetables, soft fruit, apples, beekeeping and, mushrooms.

Family growers in North Dublin provide an essential resource into the local community. It is only right that the Government provides support for them through the grant scheme but it is important that the local community itself supports them by buying their quality produce.

The Department of Agriculture scheme includes all horticultural sectors: protected crops, nursery crops, field vegetables, soft fruit, apples, beekeeping and, mushrooms and under the scheme the aid is set at 40% (50% in the case of young farmers) of total eligible capital investment for projects to begin in 2011.

I also want to welcome the meeting held between the Minister for Agriculture and the Irish Banking Federation on the need for banks to provide an adequate flow of normal credit to farmers and the food industry. The agri business sector is hugely important to the local economy in North County Dublin and to the country as a whole.

I will continue to support and work for local growers in my community and I encourage them to make contact with the Department regarding the Grant Aid Scheme as early as possible.

Note to editor:

The closing date for receipt of applications for the fourth round of the Grant Aid Scheme for the Development of the Horticulture Sector is Friday 18th February 2011. The Department of Agriculture has said that only investments commenced after the issue of letters of approval will be eligible for aid.

Details of the scheme and application forms are available from:
Crop Policy, Production and Safety Division,
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food,
Administration Building,
Backweston Campus,
Young’s Cross,
Celbridge,
Co. Kildare

(01) 5058801/5058797 or at www.agriculture.gov.ie