Vol. 536 No. 3
116 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the level of funding that is being provided for the marketing of Irish food through the National Development Plan; the export targets that are being set in relation to this expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14045/01]
The food related elements of the national development plan provide for an indicative public funding allocation of £282 million for the period to 2006 of which £48 million is earmarked for promotion and market development. This funding will be utilised by An Bord Bia under the marketing priority measure of the NDP to facilitate the maintenance and expansion of markets for Irish produce. The funding will facilitate the promotional and marketing work undertaken by An Bord Bia and will also be used to provide assistance to SME companies towards improving their marketing capabilities. The measure is aimed at improving competitiveness and market-orientation within the food industry and this will, in turn, reflect in sales figures. The final sales target for Irish food and drinks is £12.7 billion with supported firms expected to increase their sales by 32% by the end of the programme.
