asked the Minister for Agriculture the reason his Department are not prepared to recommend a company (details supplied) in County Kerry to the IDA for grant aid in respect of the setting up of a meat processing plant having regard to the fact that the applicants have a valid export market to Italy which can be easily proved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Kerry Company.
177.
The sponsors of this project have been in touch with my Department whose main concern is to ensure that meat processing premises approved for export meet EC standards. To-date no application for such approval has been received in this case. The question of grant aid is primarily one for the Industrial Development Authority. However, I am advised that, in line with current policy, the IDA would not be anxious to assist a project where there is already sufficient capacity in the industry. There are already 30 premises approved for the export of sheepmeat and only seven of these are slaughtering on a regular basis.