Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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108. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that the allocations in Budget 2023 to his Department will help tackle the cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53084/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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To help all families, individuals and businesses deal with the rising cost of living, the Government announced a package of once-off measures worth €4.1bn as part of the overall €11bn Budget 2023.

Of particular assistance to the agri-food sector included the continuation of the reduction of excise duty on agricultural diesel to nil; the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme, which will provide important support for farmers and food businesses with their energy bills; and the delivery of new loan schemes.

In the Budget for 2023, I announced the highest-ever level of funding for my Department, a 13% increase overall, and I will continue to deliver the appropriate level of support, including working with my colleagues on business supports for farmers, fishers and food & drink businesses.

Significant implications are being seen across all sectors, including the agri-food sector as a result of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. As well as the immediate humanitarian crisis, which must take priority, we need to take the necessary steps to ensure that food security is maintained, for EU citizens, for the Ukrainian people and in the wider global context.

I am acutely aware of the challenges facing our farm families here in Ireland and my role is to support the sector in mitigating these impacts and to provide targeted measures where they are most needed. I continue to meet with stakeholders on an ongoing basis to discuss the impact of the Ukraine crisis on Irish agriculture and supply chains.

Since the invasion of Ukraine started, I have announced a number of measures valued at €91 million, to assist the agri-food sector including the €1,000/farmer incentive for farmers to grow additional fodder, and specific supports for the pig, tillage & horticulture sectors. This will be available again to farmers in 2023.

These targeted measures will help Irish farmers at a time of escalating costs and build resilience against the expected impact of the crisis in Ukraine.

In addition to supporting farm families dealing with the immediate and ongoing fallout of the illegal invasion of Ukraine, Budget 2023 also lays the groundwork for strategic supports for the sector through the new €10 billion CAP Strategic Plan (CSP).

I am acutely aware of the challenges facing farm families, food businesses and coastal communities at present. We are living in uncertain times, but we need our farm families and fishers producing safe, sustainable, and high-quality food more than ever. I will continue to back them in doing that.