Vol. 542 No. 5
105 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the total value of the grants or other financial assistance paid to the Tralee Beef and Lamb plant from the European Union or national Government funds; if he plans to meet the workers and farmers hit by the closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25120/01]
Grants totalling £222,008 were paid to Tralee Beef and Lamb by my Department in 1996. The total comprised two grants of £111,004, one in respect of the abattoir constructed at the premises and the other in respect of the boning hall. The national elements of the grants were £15,000 in both instances with the balance being funded by the EAGGF. In addition SFADC awarded aid of £12,000 to the company in 1997 under its management development grant scheme.
The closure and receivership of this privately owned company is very regrettable both in terms of the immediate loss of employment and also because of the impact on cattle suppliers, including farmer suppliers, and other creditors who are left in very uncertain circumstances as regards the moneys owed to them. However, this is a commercial issue which will have to be resolved between the creditors and the receiver and is not a matter in which I can usefully intervene.
