Horticulture Grant Scheme Re-Opens to Growers Impacted by Storm Damage

IFA Horticulture Chair Mark Walsh said the announcement of the targeted re-opening of the 2025 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector for growers who suffered severe losses goes some way in recognising the impact of the recent storm.

“There was positive engagement with the new Minister of State with responsibility for Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae, at the Horticulture Industry Forum (HIF) meeting in Backweston last week and the swift re-opening of the scheme is a positive step,” Mark Walsh said.

The scheme will re-open on a targeted basis to deal only with growers who are considering investment in response to the damage caused by the storm.

“The re-opening of the scheme will alleviate some of the financial pressure on growers to restore structural damage of buildings. However, it will not cover any crops lost or consequential losses, which also had a huge impact on growers,” the IFA Horticulture Chair said.

While difficult to quantify exact losses, the IFA in conjunction with the Organic Growers of Ireland (OGI) and Teagasc have estimated that €4.46m is the initial impact. The budget for the re-opening of the scheme was not disclosed in the Minister’s announcement.

The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector operates on an annual basis and the 2025 Scheme had closed for applications last December.  

The Scheme will provide grant aid at a rate of 40% (50% for young farmers and licensed organic growers) for approved capital investments.  

To facilitate efficient administration of applications, the closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, March 7th.