Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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149. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the 2023 horticultural grants will be opened for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22075/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector grant aids capital investments in specialised plant and equipment in the horticulture sector.

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, the Department was required to notify the Scheme to the EU Commission under these new Agricultural Guidelines. We are currently awaiting approval from the EU Commission which has resulted in the delayed opening of the 2023 Scheme.

We are fully cognisant of the importance of this Scheme to the horticulture sector and will open the Scheme without delay as soon as approval is received.