Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 18 October 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Challenges Facing the Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Discussion (Resumed)

Ms Louise Byrne:

As I said, there is no opportunity to do anything in respect of the horticultural crisis fund but I will outline again the supports that are there for the growers. This year alone, we have in the region of €19 million supports for the sector plus the agriculture reserve on top of that and the horticultural crisis fund, which is €2.3 million. On top of that, growers will also get money through the producer organisation scheme. Significant supports are out there for the sector and those have been built up over recent years. The Deputy called out the mushroom sector. By way of example, in excess of €5 million of funding was made available to the mushroom sector this year under the mushroom efficiency schemes. Some €1 million was also put towards the promotion of mushrooms in the UK market. That is significant support. The mushroom sector is a big beneficiary under the producer organisation scheme. Therefore, there are supports there. Obviously, we are very mindful-----

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