Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon and Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae, announced the opening of the scheme, which is intended to assist in the development of the Irish horticulture sector by grant aiding capital investments in specialised plant and equipment. It covers all horticultural areas including field vegetables (including seed potatoes), mushrooms, protected food crops, amenity crops, soft fruit, apples, and beekeeping. The closing date for receipt of applications is December 12.
Commenting, Minister Heydon said: “An increased budget of €8.8m has been secured for horticulture in 2026 which recognises my department’s commitment to this important sector. The sector continues to grow with a farm gate value of €639m in 2024, demonstrating progress towards meeting the target set out in the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027. The mid-term review of the national strategy for horticulture will be published later this year and will outline the progress made in the implementation of the strategy’s eight key actions.
“My department is strongly committed to the vision set out in the strategy for a more profitable, value-added sector driven by sustainability and innovation and the opening of the 2026 scheme.”