Written answers
Thursday, 21 January 2021
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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484. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports available to farmers in the horticulture sector who have experienced heavy losses due to the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3046/21]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides direct support to the horticulture industry through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector. The Scheme provides grant aid towards capital investments in specialised plant and equipment, as well as emerging technologies specific to commercial horticulture production. In the current situation, this support is also important to help businesses rebuild and address the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic. For 2021, the budget for this measure was significantly increased to €9 million.
To address the particular challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government, in conjunction with relevant state agencies, introduced a range of measures. Growers and food businesses can benefit from access to the Government’s liquidity and investment responses to Covid-19 impacts, including the expansion of the Future Growth Loan Scheme for capital investment and Microfinance Ireland loans for working capital.
Banks have extended their payment break from three months to six months for those directly impacted by Covid-19. The Government has announced an expanded Credit Guarantee Schemes, which will support working capital lending to SMEs, including farmers.
Finally, food businesses are eligible for the Covid Working Capital Loan Scheme, as well as Enterprise Ireland supports to maintain business continuity and liquidity. Bord Bia has provided an additional €1m Covid-19 response Marketing Package for Agri businesses to accelerate eCommerce and expand marketing activities.
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