Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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452. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects approval from the European Commission in respect of the scheme of investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19500/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector is subject to EU Guidelines for State Aid in the Agricultural and Forestry Sector and in Rural Areas (Agricultural Guidelines). New Agricultural Guidelines came into force on 1st January 2023. As a result, my Department had to notify the Scheme to the EU Commission under these new Agricultural Guidelines. The required notification was submitted in early January and my Department is currently awaiting approval from the EU Commission. This has resulted in the delayed opening of the 2023 Scheme.

My Department fully recognises the importance of this Scheme to the horticulture sector and the importance of the sector itself to the rural economy. My Department will open the Scheme without delay as soon as approval is received.