asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, in view of his responsibility for the food industry, the provision for the making of directives to the Industrial Development Authority conferred by Section 13 of the Industrial Development Act on the Minister for Industry and Commerce, will now also be conferred by legislation on the Minister for Agriculture and Food; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Industrial Development Acts.
60.
I consider that it is sufficient that the Minister for Industry and Commerce should have the power to issue general policy directives to the Industrial Development Authority and it is therefore, not necessary to have any changes introduced in Section 13 of the Industrial Development Act, 1986.
61.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the division of functions in handling the food industry budget of the Industrial Development Authority between the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of Industry and Commerce; if amendments to the Industrial Development Acts will be necessary to accommodate the new role of the Department of Agriculture and Food in regard to food; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The food and drink functions of the Department of Industry and Commerce have been transferred to my Department. While the Industrial Development Authority receives a grant-in-aid from the Department of Industry and Commerce, the grant is not allocated on a sectoral basis and the authority are not obliged to commit their funding to any specific sector. The transfer of functions does not require therefore, any amendments to the Industrial Development Acts.