Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Against the background of Brexit uncertainty, it was vital that the Government framed a prudent budget for 2020. I will focus on the key areas of my responsibility, namely forestry, horticulture, organics and the greyhound sector.

The continued support for the development of forestry in Ireland is reinforced with an allocation of €103 million, including a capital carryover, for 2020. This allocation reflects our commitment to planting 8,000 ha in 2020, an ambitious target contained in the climate action plan. This level of planting will be challenging and will require shared action from the private sector, public bodies and local communities, but the Government is committed to achieving it. The budget also provides funding for the direct implementation of a number of other actions under the climate action plan, including the mobilisation of the private timber resource in Ireland, a substantial investment in forest roads, continued support for knowledge transfer groups and the promotion of timber products.

In 2019, funding for capital investment in the commercial horticulture sector was increased by €1 million to €6 million. In response to continuing strong demand for investment by the sector, budget 2020 has maintained this allocation. Ireland's horticulture faces a number of challenges in the context of Brexit; however, the sector still has significant potential for development. Budget 2020 continues to provide significant resources to maximise the industry's competitiveness.

The greyhound sector has undergone a series of reforms in recent times, including the enactment of the Greyhound Racing Act 2019. This legislation strengthens the legal basis for the industry, with a view to fortifying the integrity of the greyhound racing sector and improving provision for greyhound traceability. I am pleased to announce the Government's commitment to the Horse and Greyhound Fund for 2020, which will maintain expenditure at €16.8 million next year for Bord na gCon. This sector is an important contributor to the economy and provides employment in both rural and urban areas. A significant portion of the fund will be spent on care and welfare. Bord na gCon has put in place a range of such initiatives for greyhounds in recent months. I welcome the establishment of the care fund to fund programmes and initiatives for the care and welfare of racing greyhounds. The fund will support a variety of initiatives in the area of rehoming, welfare, traceability and a greyhound injury support scheme. I have received assurances from the board of Bord na gCon that it remains committed to the protection of the integrity of the industry and to promoting the welfare of greyhounds. With this new legislation in place, together with the maintenance of the funding, I am confident that Bord na gCon will have the tools to reform and strengthen the industry.

Funding for the organic farming scheme has been increased this year to €12 million, with a further €1.2 million provided for development of the organic sector.

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The €1 million increase in the organic scheme budget for 2020 highlights the Government’s ongoing commitment to the development of the organic sector. The higher targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS, budget for 2020 will also directly benefit organic farmers as they are direct beneficiaries under this scheme for organic investments. This will help build on the record volume of Irish land under organic production, which we have delivered under the current rural development programme. This higher investment is key to the implementation of the strategy for the organic food sector for 2019 to 2025.

I welcome the provision of an additional €1 million to bring the 2020 allocation for Horse Sport Ireland to €4 million to assist with the strategic development of the sector. It is an area in which I have a personal interest. This extra funding will assist in providing further incentives for breeding high-quality young horses and developing a structure for producers and breeders towards producing a horse from the foal stage to competing at high-level competition. I am delighted that the €850,000 under the equine infrastructures grant scheme could be maintained.

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