Scheme opened in wake of unprecedented levels of damage from Storm Éowyn.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has paid out around€440,000 under the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector this year.

The scheme aims to help in the development of the Irish horticulture sector, including beekeeping, by grant aiding capital investments in specialised plant and equipment.

The scheme reopened for applications in February following Storm Éowyn which resulted in unprecedented levels of damage for some growers in the horticulture sector.

Minister of State with responsibility for horticulture Michael Healy-Rae recently told Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness that a total of 164 applications had been approved by July 17, resulting in €438,645 in payments.

However, the minister said this figure does "not represent total amounts for 2025". He also reminded scheme applicants that they have until October 31, 2025 to complete their projects and submit their completed claims for payment.

The following table provides an update on the number of approvals and the amounts paid up to July 17 under the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector:

The minister also confirmed that €15,859 has been paid out to date under the schemes providing investment aid for innovation and diversification in horticulture

These measures provide grant aid for capital investments in specialised plant and equipment to micro and by funding fundamental studies, industrial studies, and experimental development and feasibility studies.

So far, the department has approved 13 application for the schemes from counties Cork (2); Dublin (2); Kilkenny (1); Limerick (1); Monaghan (3); Tipperary (2), and Wexford (2).

Minister Healy-Rae said that applicants have until November 1, 2025 to complete their approved projects and submit their claim for payment to the department.