Bord Bia Guide to Grant Aid Schemes
for the Horticultural Sector
December
2012
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
AIDAN COTTER
Growing
the success
CHIEF
EXECUTIVE
BORD BIA
of Irish28food
& horticulture
JANUARY
2009
Introduction
This guide provides a synopsis of the different grant schemes available to the various sectors of Irish
Horticulture. The grants cover a wide range of activities from market development to the aiding of capital
investment for horticultural enterprises. Some schemes are quite specific, targeting environmental practices,
organic production or facilitating the needs of emerging markets for the marketing and processing of food
products. The publication also examines the main State Supporting Agencies and describes their role in
fostering business development at national and international level.
Each grant scheme is presented in a format, which defines its key objectives, level of funding available and
contact details of the administrator. This publication should be used as an initial reference source with follow
up contact with the relevant agency directly with any queries relating to the operation of the respective
scheme. It will be updated regularly as changes occur in the availability of schemes changes, and as new
schemes become available.
Please note that Enterprise Ireland schemes are only open to food producers.
The information in this book is for guidance only and is not intended to be exhaustive. In the current
economic climate funding for some of the schemes may be reduced – contact the relevant agency for details.
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Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Contents
Scheme
Bord Bia Schemes
Marketing Assistance Programme
Brand Forum Customised Services
Foresight4food Programme
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Schemes
Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticultural Sector
Grant Aid for the Development of the Organic Sector
Organic Farming Scheme
EU Scheme of Aid for Producer Organisations
Enterprise Ireland Schemes
Innovation Vouchers
Innovation Partnerships
Feasibility Study
Going Global
County Enterprise Boards
Other State Bodies
Western Development Commission
3 Shannon Development Fund, Udárais na Gaeltachta, FÁS
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Bord Bia Marketing Assistance Programme
Category:
Objective:
Administrator:
Life-Span:
Total Budget:
Closing Date:
Funding:
Contact:
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Market Development
Bord Bia provides marketing finance support to food, drink and horticulture companies to assist
them in improving their marketing techniques and capabilities, consistent with the application of
the highest standards of quality and hygiene. The programme only applies to SMEs with a
minimum annual turnover of €100,000 in the year of application and a maximum turnover of
€3.5 million. Support is offered under de Minimis regulations.
The areas for which support is available are:
·Trade Fairs and Exhibitions.
·Market Research and Product Marketing Development.
·Quality Measures, Development of Marketing Knowledge.
Bord Bia, , 2.
On-going
On application
28th February every year
Maximum grant allowed for eligible costs is 50%.
Max grant aid in total marketing schemes per beneficiary over a three year period €200,000
Tel: + 353 (0)1 6142 239
Fax: + 353 (0)1 676 0895
Email: jimmy.corr@bordbia.ie
www: www.bordbia.ie
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Bord Bia Brand Forum Customised Services
Category:
Objective:
5
Brand Development
Customised Services form part of Bord Bia’s Brand Forum programme designed to assist clients
with brand development and to engage in best practice branding by providing tools/products,
services and information. Support is offered under de Minimis regulations.Under this service,
Bord Bia offers financial assistance for the following areas:
Brand Creation
Packaging Redesign
Brand Audits
PR Website Development & Online Marketing
Administrator: Bord Bia, Clanwilliam Court, Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
Life-Span:
Ongoing (where funding available)
Total Budget: On application
Closing Date: On-going
Funding:
Up to 45% of net costs plus VAT (project support is budget dependent) to a maximum of €10,000
per project. Max grant aid in total marketing schemes per beneficiary over a three year period:
€200000
Contact:
Tel: + 353 (0)1 614 2274 Fax: + 353 (0)1 668 7521 Email: michal.slawski@bordbia.ie www:
www.bordbia.ie
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Bord Bia Foresight4food Programme
Category:
Objective:
Innovation and New Product Development
Foresight4food encourages food drink and horticultural companies to be more consumer focused
in their New Product Development by offering them access to research and innovation services at
reduced costs. The programme offers services in three consumer focused innovation areas:
stimulation, ideation and validation. The innovation areas are not reliant on each other,
companies may alternatively choose to participate in individual areas. Support is offered under de
Minimis regulations.
Administrator: Bord Bia, Clanwilliam Court, Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
Life-Span:
On-going
Total Budget: On application
Closing Date: On-going
Funding:
Up to 50% of net costs plus VAT (project support is budget dependent).Max grant aid in total
marketing schemes per beneficiary over a three year period: €200 000
Contact:
Tel: + 353 (0)1 614 2274 Fax: + 353 (0)1 668 7521 Email: michal.slawski@bordbia.ie www:
www.bordbia.ie
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Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Investment Aid for the Development of the
Commercial Horticultural Sector
Category:
Objective:
Commercial Horticulture
To assist the development of the horticulture sector, including beekeeping, by grant aiding capital
investments in specialised plant and equipment specific to commercial horticulture production. The
scheme aims to facilitate environmentally friendly practices; promote the diversification of on-farm
activities; improve the quality of products and improve working conditions.
Admisintrator Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Life-Span:
2007 – 2013
Total Budget: Currently €3.25m per annum
Closing Date: Scheme operates on an annual basis. Trenches’ will be advertised in the National Press if funding is
available.
Funding:
The minimum investment to be considered for grant aid is €10,000, (apart from qualifying young
farmers: €4,000 and beekeeping: €2,000) Rate of aid: 40% (50% in the case of qualifying young
farmers) of the accepted cost of capital investments approved by DAFM. Max grant aid €5m per
applicant available over lifetime of the Scheme (2007-2013).
Contact:
For further details contact Seamus O’Donnell at Crop Policy, Production and Safety Division,
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Administration Building, Backweston Campus,
Young’s Cross, Celbridge, Co. Kildare.
Tel 01-5058801 / 01-5058799 /01-5058795 Email: NDPHorticulture@agriculture.gov.ie
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Web http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemespayments/horticultureschemes/
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Grant Aid for the Development of the Organic Sector
Category:
Objective:
Organic Sector
The aim of this scheme is to facilitate the development of the organic sector so as to ensure a
regular supply of high quality produce to the market. Financial assistance will be directed towards
projects which:
Improve the organic sector
and provide the producers of the basic product with an opportunity of enhancing income.
Help guide production in line with foreseeable market trends or encourage the development of
new outlets for agricultural products.
Help to improve production, handling and preparation of organic produce.
Facilitate the adoption and application of new technologies.
Administrator Organic Farming Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate,
Wexford.
Life-Span:
2007 - 2013
Total Budget: €8 million
Closing Date: Tranches will be advertised in the National Press
Funding:
Projects costing less than €1500 excluding VAT are not eligible for grant assistance 40% of on farm
and off farm investment
On farm forms
Off farm forms
Contact:
Tel: + 353 (0)53 9170315
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http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemespayments/otherfarmersschemes/organicsscheme/
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Organic Farming Scheme
Category:
Objective:
Organic Sector
The objective of this Scheme is to deliver enhanced environmental and animal welfare benefits and
to encourage producers to respond to the market demand for organically produced food.
Administrator: Organic Farming Unit, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Johnstown Castle Estate,
Wexford.
Life-Span:
Total Budget:
Closing Date:
Funding:
Contact:
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2007 – 2013
€8 million
Tranches will be advertised in the National Press
Organic horticulture only producers, with one hectare or more, are eligible for the following
payments provided that at least 50% of the area eligible for organic payment is cropped each year:
Horticultural area ≤ 6 hectares (ha)
> 6ha and up to 55ha
> 55ha
In conversion
€283/ha
€212/ha
€30/ha
Full organic status €142/ha
€106/ha
€15/ha
Tel: + 353 (0)53 9170315;
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmingsectors/organicfarming/organicsscheme/organicfarmingsche
me2007-2013/
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
EU Scheme of Aid for Producer Organisations
Category:
Objective:
Fruit or vegetable producers
To strengthen the position of producers in the marketplace by helping them financially to
implement joint programmes over 3, 4 or 5 years to improve marketing, quality, production
planning and implement environmentally friendly practices
Life-Span:
No limit set. Current funding is part of EU budget for 2007 – 2013; measure expected to
continue after that date
Total Budget: Currently €5.8 million per year in Ireland
th
Closing Date: 15 of September for programmes to be implemented the following year
Funding:
4.1% of the Producer Organisation’s Value of Marketed Production (essentially turnover) per
year. Terms and Conditions of the Scheme of Aid for Producer Organisations in the Fruit and
Vegetables Sector Ireland’s National Strategy for Sustainable Operational Programmes
Are available to download here
Contact:
Roisin O’Connell / Seamus Monaghan Crop Policy, Production and Safety Division, Department
of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Administration Building Backweston Campus, Young’s
Cross, Celbridge, Co. Kildare. Tel 01-5058767 / 01-5058786 Email:
POScheme@agriculture.gov.ie
Web http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemespayments/horticultureschemes/
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Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Enterprise Ireland Innovation Vouchers
Category:
The Innovation Vouchers initiative is open to all small (limited registered) food companies (less
than 50 employees) in Ireland.
Objective:
The Innovation Voucher initiative was developed to build links between Ireland's public
knowledge providers (i.e. higher education institutes, public research bodies) and small
businesses. It is designed to help small companies to get innovative solutions to technical and
business challenges.
Ongoing with three calls per year for standard vouchers. A co-funded voucher can be applied
Life-Span:
for at any time
Closing Date: Closing dates are updated and available on www.innovationvouchers.ie
Funding:
An individual voucher is worth €5,000. Vouchers can be pooled with up to ten other companies
to create a larger fund to a maximum of €50,000 (10 vouchers x €5,000) to address an issue of
common concern. Download application forms: http://www.innovationvouchers.ie/
Contact:
Mike Dolan
Innovation Vouchers Programme Manager
Tel: + 353 1 727 2401
Mike.Dolan@enterprise-Ireland.Com
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Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnerships
Category:
The Innovation Partnership Programme is open to food manufacturing and internationally
traded services companies who are clients of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, the City and
County Enterprise Boards, Shannon Development and Údarás na Gaeltachta, and with an
operating base in the Irish Republic, who wish to collaborate with one or more Irish third-level
institutions (based in the Irish Republic).
Objective:
The Innovation Partnership Programme encourages Irish based companies to work with Irish
colleges to access their expertise and resources to develop new and improved products,
processes, services, and generate new knowledge and know-how.
Life-Span:
Ongoing
Closing Date: This is an open programme with a closing date each month. Closing dates can be accessed on
http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/innovationpartnerships
Funding:
Enterprise Ireland provides grants of up to 80% towards eligible costs of the research project.
The level of funding awarded will depend on the company size and the type of research to be
undertaken.
Download information and application forms: http://www.enterpriseireland.com/innovationpartnerships
Contact:
Declan McGee
Innovation Partnership Programme Manager.
Tel: + 353 1 727 2668
Declan.McGee@enterprise-Ireland.Com
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Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Enterprise Ireland Feasibility Study
Category:
The Enterprise Ireland Feasibility Study is open to food manufacturing and internationally
traded services companies with more than 10 employees who are clients of Enterprise Ireland
or potential clients.
Objective:
The aim of the Feasibility Study Grant is to assist a company to investigate the viability of
manufacturing a new product or process or to develop a new internationally traded service.
This can include studies on product or process development projects, joint venture or licence
agreements with home or overseas partners, or expansion projects in manufacturing or
international services which involve new or improved products to be manufactured in Ireland.
Life-Span:
Ongoing
Closing Date: Applications can be made all year
Funding:
The maximum grant funding available for a Feasibility Study is 50% of eligible expenditure up to
a maximum of €25,0000. Download application forms: http://www.innovationvouchers.ie/
Contact:
Anita Hanlon
Enterprise Ireland Food Business Unit
Tel: + 353 1 727 2881
anita.hanlon@enterprise-Ireland.Com
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Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Enterprise Ireland Going Global
Category:
The Enterprise Ireland Going Global Fund is open to manufacturing and internationally traded
services companies with more than 10 employees who are clients of Enterprise Ireland or
potential clients who have received less than €50,000 (excluding ESS support) in funding from
Enterprise Ireland over the last 5 years and have generated reasonable levels of revenue for at
least 2 years..
Objective:
The Going Global Fund is a competitive fund focusing on locally trading companies that have
successfully established businesses in Ireland, and wish to explore opportunities to
internationalise their business as a route to growth.
Life-Span:
Ongoing with call closing dates updated on www.enterprise-ireland.com
Closing Date: Call closing dates updated on www.enterprise-ireland.com
Funding:
The maximum grant funding available for a Going Global Fund is 50% of eligible expenditure up to
a maximum of €25,000 Download application forms: http://www.enterpriseireland.com/en/Funding-Supports/Company/Esetablish-SME-Funding/Going-Global-Fund.html
Contact:
International Services Team
Tel: + 353 1 727 2100
Going.Global@enterprise-Ireland.Com
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Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
County Enterprise Boards
Category:
Objective:
Enterprise Development.
The City/County Enterprise Boards were established in October 1993 as companies limited by
guarantee to provide a new source of support for small business. A specific objective was to
cultivate and expand an ethos of local entrepreneurship.
Administrator: City/County Enterprise Boards – 35 nationwide.
Life-Span:
On-going
Funding:
The Boards are engaged in the provision of a number of services to include, business
information/advice, counselling, mentoring support and management training. Financial
assistance is available in the way of:
· Capital grants
· Employment grants
· Feasibility studies
In addition to providing grants, the Boards are involved in co-operating with other organisations
in generating additional funds.
Contact:
Local Enterprise Board
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Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
County Enterprise Boards
Area
Name
Telephone
CARLOW
Kieran Comerford 059 9130880
CAVAN
Vincent Reynolds 049 4377200
CLARE
Eamonn Kelly
065 6841922
CORK CITY
Adrienne Rodgers 021 4961828
NORTH CORK:
Michael Hanley 022 43235
SOUTH CORK
Sean O'Sullivan 021 4975281
WEST CORK
Michael Hanley 023 34700
DONEGAL
Michael Tunney 074 9160735
DUBLIN CITY
Greg Swift
01 635 1144
DUN LAOGHAIRE- Michael Johnson 01 4948400
RATHDOWN
FINGAL
Oisin Geoghegan 01 8900800
SOUTH DUBLIN Loman O'Byrne 01 4057073
GALWAY
Breda Fox
091 565269
Email
enterprise@carlow-ceb.com
info@cceb.ie
clareceb@clareceb.ie
info@corkceb.ie
corknent@iol.ie
enterprise@sceb.ie
enterprise@wceb.ie
info@donegalenterprise.ie
info@dceb.ie
info@dlrceb.ie
Web
www.carlow-ceb.com
www.cavanenterprise.ie
www.clareceb.ie
www.corkceb.ie
www.nceb.ie
www.sceb.ie
www.wceb.ie
www.donegalenterprise.ie
www.dceb.ie
www.dlrceb.ie
info@fingalceb.ie
www.fingalceb.ie
info@sdenterprise.ie
www.sdenterprise.ie
therese@galwayenterprise.ie www.galwayenterprise.ie
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Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
County Enterprise Boards
Area
KERRY
KILDARE
KILKENNY
LAOIS
LEITRIM
LIMERICK CITY
LIMERICK
COUNTY
LONGFORD
LOUTH
MAYO
MEATH
MONAGHAN
OFFALY
Name
Tomas Hayes
Mary Fitzpatrick
Fiona Deegan
Maria Callinan
Joe Lowe
Eamon Ryan
Ned Toomey
Telephone
066 7183522
045 861707
056 7752662
0502 61800
071 9620450
061 312611
061 496520
Email
kerryceb@kerrycoco.ie
info@kildareceb.ie
enquiries@kceb.ie
admin@laoisenterprise.com
info@leitrimenterprise.ie
info@limceb.ie
info@lcoeb.ie
Web
www.kerryceb.ie
www.kildareceb.ie
www.kceb.ie
Michael Nevin
Ronan Dennedy
Frank Fullard
Hugh Reilly
John McEntegart
Sean Ryan
043 42757
042 9327099
094 9024444
046 9078400
047 71818
057 9352971
info@longfordceb.ie
info@lceb.ie
ffullard@mayococo.ie
mhceb@meath.com
info@mceb.ie
info@offalyceb.ie
www.longfordceb.ie
www.lceb.ie
www.mayoceb.com
www.meath.com
www.mceb.ie
www.offalyceb.ie
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Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
www.leitrimenterprise.ie
www.limceb.ie
www.lcoeb.ie
County Enterprise Boards
Area
Name
ROSCOMMON
Louise Ward
SLIGO
John Reilly
TIPPERARY (NR) Rita Guinan
TIPPERARY (SR) Ita Horan
WATERFORD CITY Ciaran Cullen
WATERFORD
Anike Tyrrell
COUNTY
WESTMEATH
Christine
Charlton
WEXFORD
Tom Banville
WICKLOW
Sheelagh Daly
Telephone
090 6626263
071 9144779
067 33086
052 29466
051 852883
058 44811
Email
ceb@roscommon.ie
info@sligoenterprise.ie
info@tnceb.ie
ceb@southtippcoco.ie
info@waterfordceb.com
waterfordceb@cablesurf.com
044 9349222 info@westmeath-enterprise.ie
053 9122965 info@wexfordceb.ie
0404 67100 enterprise@wicklowceb.ie
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Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Web
www.roscommon.ie
www.sligoenterprise.ie
www.tnceb.ie
www.southtippceb.ie
www.waterfordceb.com
www.enterpriseboard.ie
www.westmeathenterprise.ie
www.wexfordceb.ie
www.wicklowceb.ie
Other State Bodies
Western Development Commission
Dillon House
Ballaghaderreen
Co Roscommon
Tel: + 353 (0)94 9861441
Fax: + 353 (0)94 9861443
Email: info@wdc.ie
The Western Development Commission (WDC) is a statutory body with responsibility for fostering and promoting
economic and social development in the Western Region (counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo,
and Clare). Through its work, in policy analysis and regional development the WDC aims to ensure that the
interests of the Western Region are always considered at the highest levels of government. The WDC is
responsible for the management and administration of the €34.4 million Investment Fund which provides risk
capital by way of equity and loans, on a commercial basis, to projects and businesses.
One of the components of the WIF is the Business Investment Fund. Under this Fund, the WDC offers capital to
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in, or locating to, the Western Region. Investments will
typically range from €100,000 to €1million.
The Business Investment Fund can provide seed, early stage or development stage capital to realise the growth
potential of a business. It can also provide funding for Management Buy-Outs (MBOs).
In return for a minority shareholding, the WDC seeks a financial return which will allow the fund to revolve and
be invested in other viable projects in the Western Region.
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Other State Bodies
Shannon Development Fund
Industry Division
Shannon Town Centre
Co Clare
Tel: + 353 (0)61-361-555
Fax: + 353 (0)61-361-903
Email: info@shannon-dev.ie
Web: www.shannon-dev.ie
Udárais na Gaeltachta
Na Forbacha
Gaillimh
Tel: + 353 (0)91 503-100
Fax: + 353 (0)91 503-101
Email: eolas@udaras.ie
Web: www.udaras.ie
FÁS
Training and Employment Authority
27-33 Upper Baggot Street
Dublin 4
Tel: + 353 (0)1 607 0500
Fax: + 353 (0)1 607 0608
Email: info@fas.ie
Web: www.fas.ie
The Training Support Scheme (TSS) enables Irish SMEs to improve their competitiveness in national and
international markets. It specifically seeks to improve the skills of employees at all levels within a
company – from operatives to management. The Training Grant Scheme is open to businesses engaged in
secondary processing and in the services related sectors subject to the conditions of the scheme.
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