Minister Heydon welcomes the publication of the revised National Development Plan
- Published on: 23 July 2025
- Last updated on: 23 July 2025
Minister Heydon and the Ministers of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, have welcomed the publication of the revised National Development Plan (NDP).
The revised NDP sets out the department’s new five-year capital allocation. The NDP will support economic, social and environmental development in our rural and coastal communities.
Minister Heydon stated:
“The NDP allocation that I secured for my department will contribute to improved competitiveness, including through research and innovation, capital investment at industry level to support international market diversification, and investment to meet climate and environmental obligations.’’
Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS):
Investing in TAMS is one of the department’s key priorities over the lifetime of this government. This investment supports competitiveness on Irish Farms, generational renewal, and crucially, supports slurry storage that will be a critical component in supporting the case for the renewal of the Nitrates Derogation.
Forestry:
Additional funds here will assist Minister Healy-Rae fund the Forestry Windblow Reconstitution Scheme which relates to damage caused by Storms Darragh and Éowyn which extends to 25,750 hectares of forestry, of which 11,600 hectares are in private ownership.
Forestry is a vital resource for the Irish economy. In addition to its economic, social and recreational role, Ireland’s forests play an essential role in helping with climate change mitigation, through carbon sequestration in forests and the provision of renewable fuels and raw materials.
Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae, stated:
“These additional funds will support the department in addressing forestry window damage due to Storms Darragh and Éowyn. The Forest Windblow Taskforce that I established earlier this year has been calling for funds on this and I am delighted that this has been reflected by Government in the NDP allocation to my department.’’
Fishery Harbour Centres and Seafood Development:
Additional funds here will assist Minister Dooley to prioritise the development of Howth and Ros an Mhíl harbours. These are major development projects that need to be completed for the viability and sustainability of the seafood sector.
Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley, stated:
“This funding will ensure the continued development of Howth Harbour and Ros an Mhíl as funds have already been expended on these projects. Howth Harbour is already facing operational difficulty with some vessels being diverted to Dun Laoghaire due to their inability to safely enter the harbour. Unless it is dredged, Howth Harbour will become inaccessible to fishing boats, the RNLI and other Harbour Users.’’
Minister of State with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development, Noel Grealish, welcomed the revised NDP and added:
“I welcome the revised NDP and acknowledge that this is needed at a time of uncertainty in relation to tariffs and geo-political events. I will work closely with my colleagues in this department on this.’’
Minister Heydon concluded:
“The additional funding aligns with the Programme for Government commitments. This plan is ambitious, and investment is required to fulfil this ambition. Public capital investments in the agri-food sector will seek to support the sustainable development of the sector in accordance with the ambition in Food Vision 2030 and the new CAP regulations. The agri-food sector is an essential part of the economic and social fabric of Ireland. Our world class food and drink companies continue to bring high quality and distinctive produce to global markets. This sector will continue to deliver food security for Ireland and other countries. This is needed more than ever in the current economic climate of tariffs.’’