Vol. 507 No. 4
9 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the supports, if any, in place for restaurant proprietors particularly in relation to set-up costs, cost of compliance and other costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16899/99]
The current development strategy for the food industry – the food subprogramme – covers capital investment, research and development, marketing and promotion and the development of human resources. While it does not provide direct support for the retail or food service sectors, it recognises their important role. The subprogramme is a customer-oriented one and its measures aim to ensure the food industry has the necessary capabilities and the right product to meet the needs of the retail and food service sectors.
The future action plan for the food industry proposed by the Food Industry Development Group which I established retains a focus on the market. In carrying out its task, the group bore in mind likely developments in the retail and food service sectors. The group's report is being taken into account in the context of the preparation of the national development plan.
Bord Bia continues to work closely with the retail and food service sectors. Relevant activities undertaken as part of its marketing and promotion work include seminars for chefs, tailor-made restaurant promotions, food fairs and ongoing advisory programmes.
In light of developments in the food service sector and given that the tourism industry continues to grow, will the Minister of State consider providing soft loans or grants for restaurant proprietors to meet set-up costs, cost of compliance with standards and other costs?
Bord Bia works closely with restaurant groupings and is very much aware of the problems being encountered in the sector which is the fastest growing in the world. Approximately 60 per cent of the population of the United Kingdom eat outside the home. The percentage in the United States is much higher. There are not any plans at this time to make grants available, although assistance is available in many areas, including promotion. Bord Bia has a budget of close on £20 million, mainly for export and home promotions.
Question No. 32 is a related question. I understand there is no representative on An Bord Bia who has a hands on approach to the provision of food services, that is, through delicatessens or restaurants. The Minister of State should try to allocate a small percentage of the massive total departmental allocation – a very small percentage would suffice – to restaurants rather than An Bord Bia to promote food.
I welcome the work of the board in the promotion of Irish food exports. However, I am putting the case for people involved in the delivery and provision of food services. Many benefits accrue from these risk takers. I urge the Minister of State to consider allocating, for the millennium year, a small percentage of the Department's funding to grants or soft loans towards set-up costs in this sector.
I will keep the Deputy's views in mind and convey them to An Bord Bia. The board of An Bord Bia is large and is composed of representatives of all sectors of the food industry. There are two sub-boards, the consumer food group and the meat industry group. Its members are drawn from the spectrum of the food industry, including the processing and producing sectors.
