The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed that 35 applications were submitted for the Fuel Support Scheme for Specialist Horticulture.

The scheme was introduced to support specialist horticultural growers facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs.

The department said that under the measure a once-off payment will be provided to specialist horticulture growers to help mitigate the continued increases in fuel costs.

"The Fuel Support Scheme for Specialist Horticulture is open to commercial horticulture growers producing tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms, strawberries, chillies, herbs and hydroponically grown lettuce in an eligible structure using an eligible fuel.

"Applications are broadly in line with expectations," a DAFM spokesperson told Agriland.

Horticulture

The department has outlined that eligibility for the scheme will be based on recorded fuel usage for the primary production of specialist horticulture crops last year.

DAFM said that the 35 applications were spread across the following sectors:

Payments under the scheme will commence once all verification and eligibility checks are completed.

"The exact rate paid to successful applicants will be based on total valid applications and may be subject to a maximum payment. In addition, payment cannot exceed state aid limits," the spokesperson added.