Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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18. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers in Carlow are benefiting from the organic farming scheme or other supports for the organic sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55640/23]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Are farmers in Carlow benefiting from the organic farming scheme or other supports for the organic sector? Will the Minister of State make a statement on the matter?

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Senator Pippa Hackett):

We currently have a budget of €256 million under the CAP for the organic sector. Organic farming in Carlow has seen significant growth over the past three years. There are currently 33 farmers from Carlow participating in the organic farming scheme. Under TAMS II, farmers in Carlow received grant aid under the organic capital investment scheme, which provides for on-farm investments such as upgrades to agricultural buildings and machinery and facilitates the adoption and application of new technologies. The organic processing investment grant scheme is also available to organic processors. If there are any of those in Carlow, I encourage them to take that up.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State. I know the applications for the 2024 organic farming scheme closed on 8 December.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Senator Pippa Hackett):

It is tomorrow.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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It is tomorrow. Perfect.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Senator Pippa Hackett):

It was changed to 15 December.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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It was changed to 15 December. Lovely. I welcome that.

We have a huge farmers' market in Carlow which opened in 2004. It is one of the biggest markets in the south east.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Go raibh maith agat.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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It is great to see that. I will encourage our farmers to participate in it.