Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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787. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grants available for a person or business to set up an orchard on the person's lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44262/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides support to assist fruit and vegetable growers through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector. This is a competitive scheme open to all horticultural sectors – field vegetables, mushrooms, protected food crops, amenity crops, soft fruit, apples and beekeeping and provides grant aid at a rate of 40% (50% for young farmers) on approved capital investments. The grant aid aims to provide support to the horticulture industry in each sector. I can confirm that the investments funded under this scheme include fruit trees such as apple trees.

At a broader level, the EU Producer Organisation Scheme which my Department operates provides important support for the fruit and vegetable sector. This scheme which is 100% EU funded provides an important mechanism for producers to achieve a more sustainable balance in the supply chain through collaboration and enhancing bargaining power by becoming part of a larger supply base.

Members can claim 50% EU aid on approved actions and investments implemented through Producer Organisations, including actions and investments on fruit production.