Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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66. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his proposals to support the mushroom sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37614/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am providing a range of supports to the Irish mushroom sector, an industry that makes a significant contribution to the Irish economy.

The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector provides grant aid towards capital investments in specialised plant and equipment including renewable energy, as well as technology adoption specific to commercial horticulture production. This Scheme is 100% funded by this Government and I secured a budget of €10 million for the 2024 scheme.

I also recently launched the 2024 Scheme of Investment Aid for Innovation and Diversification in Horticulture (Feasibility / Desk Studies) and the 2024 Scheme of Investment Aid for Innovation and Diversification in Horticulture (Capital Investments). These schemes are designed to assist in increasing innovation and diversification among primary producers in the horticulture sector. The total additional budget allocated for these two schemes was €1.35 million.

Mushroom growers are also eligible for supports under the CAP Strategic Plan. The EU funded Producer Organisation Scheme for Fruit and Vegetables provides an invaluable support to the mushroom sector. A large percentage of Ireland’s five Producer Organisation Scheme members are mushroom producers and can avail of significant financial supports across a range of measures including on farm investments and other eligible measures.

Earlier this year the Horticulture Crisis Fund (HCF) provided €2.38m in support to horticultural sub sectors most at risk due to a combination of high input prices, low output prices and/or reduced yield. Brown mushroom growers were eligible under the HCF.

In June 2023, together with my colleague, Minister Pippa Hackett, I launched the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027. This stakeholder led strategy sets down a clear vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability and provides a road map for the sector to achieve this potential. I am committed to seeing this sector which includes mushrooms, grow and flourish in the years ahead and my Department is working collaboratively with stakeholders to progress all key strategic actions in the National Strategy for Horticulture.

In 2023 two BAR funded schemes to support the mushroom sector were launched with a combined budget of €5 million. These schemes were intended to assist in increasing the efficiency and sustainability of the mushroom sector.

In addition BAR funding worth €1.89m was provided to support a mushroom promotional campaign in the UK.