Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

646. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding available from his Department or agencies under his remit to support local food festivals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33353/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Funding from a number of sources within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and agencies under its remit is available to support local food festivals. These are the Rural Innovation and Development Fund (RIDF) and the LEADER Food Initiative (LFI), part of the LEADER Programme.  

The report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) recommended the establishment of the RIDF, which has an allocation of €1.5m for 2021. The RIDF supports “innovative, small scale pilot initiatives which explore the diverse range of potential identified through the CEDRA process”. Agri-food tourism, including food festivals, is one such measure, and encompasses a wide variety of activities centred on the links between agriculture and the food produced at the local or regional level. Many of the projects funded to date have proven very successful and have helped local authorities and small rural enterprises to showcase their food, beverages and local cuisine.  

The €15m LEADER Food Initiative (LFI) is managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development, with funding from the Department.

The recently announced final call for the LFI was worth €5 million, which is available for investment aimed at assisting artisan, micro and small food businesses to respond to challenges posed by Brexit and COVID-19, while also supporting diversification in the agricultural sector. Supports under the LFI include funding for the renovation and extension of production facilities, and the purchase of processing equipment. The initiative will also support participants in the artisan food and beverage sector in areas such as market development, competitiveness, and innovation. Food festivals may be eligible for funding under the LFI provided they deliver benefit to artisan, micro and small food producers. 

As part of the recent announcement, the maximum rate of aid available to projects involving economic activity was increased from 50% to 75% for applications received on or after 1st April 2021. Prospective applicants can access further information from their Local Action Group.