Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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151. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will provide targeted financial assistance to horticulturists for the replacement of plastic polytunnel covers and other structures not covered under the 2025 scheme of investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13626/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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In response to the damage that resulted from Storm Éowyn to the Irish horticulture sector I, together with my colleague Michael Healy-Rae T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Horticulture, announced a targeted reopening of the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector.

The targeted reopening of the 2025 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector was specifically for growers proposing investments in response to the damage caused by Storm Éowyn. New materials and/or new specialised horticultural plant/equipment/structures, including polythene covers for polytunnels, were eligible for consideration of grant aid under the Scheme.

The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector is implemented pursuant to the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas, and the Scheme must be administered in accordance with State aid rules.

In addition, organic horticultural growers can apply for the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme's (TAMS 3) Organic Capital Investment Scheme, which provides grant aid towards the cost of certain horticulture investments. Grant aid will only be paid on approved, completed, and eligible expenditure, and shall be paid at the rate of 40% for licensed organic operators and 60% for farmers who are also current participants of the Organic Farming Scheme, up to the applicable TAMS 3 maximum investment ceiling of €90,000 per holding. The minimum amount of investment which is eligible for approval under this Scheme is €2,000 per application.