Peter Barry
Question:79 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will make a special allowance for research, marketing and promotion available to the food industry.
Written Answers. - Food Industry Funding.
Expenditure on research, marketing and promotion already accounts for a substantial part of the funds allocated by the State to the various agencies dealing with the food industry.
For example, the Teagasc research budget this year is approximately £22 million. The objective of a sizeable part of the Teagasc research programme is to provide high level technical support to the food industry. At sectoral level, CBF and An Bord Glas are in receipt of State funds for promotion and market development of meat and horticultural produce.
In addition, the IDA offers a wide range of specific R and D grants and works closely with Eolas and Teagasc to encourage research and development work in food, while An Bord Tráchtála carries out overseas promotion for food products not dealt with by other agencies.
Research, marketing and promotion in the food industry will be among the areas to be considered by the expert committee which I am setting up, following a recommendation of the Culliton report, to prepare a development programme for that industry.