Minister Smith announces further awards of €2.4 million under the Capital Investment Scheme under certain agricultural products
Mr Brendan Smith TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, with special responsibility for the Food and Horticulture Industries today announced further awards of grant aid totalling €2.4 million in respect of three projects under the Department's Capital Investment Scheme for the marketing and processing of certain agricultural products. The awards made involve investment of over €7.5 million and cover projects in the Horticulture and Grain sectors.
Minister Smith stated that the National Development Plan 2000-2006 provides a range of support measures for the food industry covering capital investment, research and development, marketing and promotion and human resource development. The awards announced today bring the total aid approved under the Department's Capital Investment initiative to over €45 million, in respect of 119 projects. Grant aid of up to 35% of approved eligible costs is being provided.
"The Capital Investment Scheme makes a positive contribution to the competitiveness of the industry and plays a key role in sustaining rural communities. The awards being announced today will assist in the development of the fruit and vegetable, grain and potato sectors and, by improving and upgrading the storage, handling and marketing facilities in the enterprises concerned, will enhance food safety and quality," Minister Smith added.
Details of the projects being grant aided are attached.
| Grant Approved | |||
| Sector | Beneficiary | Description of Project | € |
| Horticulture | Strabegrove Limited Ballybay Co. Monaghan |
Upgrading and modernisation of vegetable preparation business. | 106,300 |
| Dublin Meath Growers Society Ltd. Kilshane Cross The Ward Co. Dublin |
Extension and enhancement of fruit and vegetable marketing and processing facility. | 1,403,529 | |
| Sub-Total Horticulture Sector | 1,509,829 | ||
| Grain | J. Grennan & Sons Rath Birr Co.Offaly |
Provision of additional grain storage facility and related processing equipment. | 880,938 |
| Sub-Total Grain Sector | 880,938 | ||
| OVERALL TOTAL | 2,390,767 | ||
02 June 2006
Date Released: 02 June 2006
