Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 5

Written Answers. - Nursery Stock.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

24 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the growth which has taken place in the hardy nursery stock industry in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26459/99]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The latest available figures cover the five year period from 1994 to 1998 and show the estimated value of production for each year as follows:

1994	£18.1 million
1995	£18.7 million
1996	£19.7 million
1997	£18.5 million
1998	£23.0 million

Nursery stock is an area of alternative enterprises which has potential for further growth on both the home and export market. The sector is being actively supported by An Bord Glas and Teagasc to enhance this potential. It has been aided in the past through farm improvement programme and the operational programme for agriculture, rural development and forestry and further provision will be included in the national development plan.