Ministers McConalogue and Hackett announce €2.8 million package to support Irish fruit and vegetable growers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue and Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity with special responsibility for horticulture Pippa Hackett have announced the opening of the Horticulture Exceptional Payment Scheme. Support is being provided to the critically important Irish horticulture sector, with an aid package of €2.8 million for eligible growers.

This is a support measure which will be funded from Ireland’s allocation for exceptional adjustment aid to producers in agricultural sectors which have been

impacted by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, as announced by the European Commission on 23 March.

Announcing the scheme, Minister McConalogue said:

“The horticulture sector has been experiencing significant challenges recently and that is why I am delighted to announce this support for those most impacted in the sector. We are very proud of our domestic horticultural growers and we must ensure the long-term viability of the sector.”

Minister Hackett said:

“This support scheme will help to mitigate some of these impacts as well as sustain the viability of our horticultural growers who play a key role in producing safe, nutritious and local food in an environmentally sustainable manner.”

Eligibility criteria and other details are laid out in the term and conditions of the scheme.

Full terms and condition of the scheme

To apply for this scheme please complete the application. Completed application forms should be emailed to heps@agriculture.gov.ie by midnight 17 June 2022. Payments to eligible growers will be made by 30 September 2022.