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The Government’s €100m funding for factories has opened for applications, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue have confirmed.
The scheme, which was agreed at the end of 2020, has been established in recognition of the processing sector’s exposure to the impact of Brexit.
Enterprise Ireland will oversee a competitive call for applications with this first call worth €70m.
Applicants will need to demonstrate that the investment underpins sustainable food production, at both farm and processor level, and contribute to balanced, sustainable regional development.
Ten-year investment
The scheme is open to large, medium or small enterprises, engaged in the processing and marketing of primary meat and dairy products.
Minister McConalogue said: “The projects that will qualify for funding are focused on the future, supporting either new products and or new market diversification strategies.”
"I hope that the Government’s support for these strategic investments will bring benefits for all those along the supply chain, particularly farmers as the primary producer of our food offering.”
Eligible projects must have total eligible capital expenditure of at least €1m, up to a maximum of €25m. The maximum aid intensity will be up to 30% of the eligible investment costs, up to a maximum direct grant of €5m.
An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said: “The trade deal agreed with the UK last December mitigated against a doomsday scenario for the agri-food sector. However, there is no doubt that Brexit will still have a significant impact.
“This fund, which will put €100m investment into helping the sector adapt, diversify and innovate, is one of the ways we are helping food processors to respond.”
Apply
Eligible companies are invited to submit applications from Wednesday 10 February until the closing date on Thursday 15 April.
Interested companies can find out more information from here.
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