Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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212. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is planning to support growing exports deriving from the horticulture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3565/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides support to the horticulture industry through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector.

Financial support is available to assist growers and businesses through grant aid for capital investments in specialised plant and equipment including renewable energy, as well as technology adoption specific to commercial horticulture production.

This scheme allows for an increase of production capacity and diversification and thus the ability to tap into export opportunities for horticultural produce.

A budget increase to €10 million was secured for 2023. Subject to State Aid approval, the 2023 scheme is due to open early this year.

My Department continues to draw down funds from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to support the promotion of Irish mushrooms in the UK.

Approximately 80% of Irish mushroom production is exported to the UK. In 2022 €810,000 was assigned to Bord Bia for a TV and social media mushroom promotion campaign in the UK .

In addition, the Department administers the EU Producer Organisation Scheme for Fruit and Vegetables which allows growers to jointly market their produce in order to strengthen their position in the marketplace. Funding under this scheme can be used to target domestic and export markets.

My Department recognises the importance of the horticulture sector to the economy and to the many families and businesses across Ireland that depend on it. In recognition of this, my Department is currently developing a new Strategy for the sector which will be published later this year.