The National Development Plan 2000-2006 contains indicative public funding of €358 million for a full range of support measures for the food industry. These measures cover capital investment, research and development, marketing and promotion and human resource development.
A total of €106 million is provided to cover research, technology and innovation for the food industry. Of this amount, €36 million has been allocated for the purpose of in-company research and technology transfer and this is being administered by the development agencies. Some €70 million has been allocated towards the food institutional, or public good, research measure, administered by my Department.
The objectives of the food institutional research measure are to complement the support being provided for in-company research, to provide a base of expertise and information to support product development in the industry and to assist in assuring consumer protection by ensuring that development is underpinned by attention to food safety and quality.