Vol. 552 No. 2
31 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development his plans to ensure that the food sector here is capable of competing effectively on international markets with others within the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12064/02]
The national development plan contains indicative public funding of €358 million for a full range of support measures for the development of the food industry. The provisions have been designed specifically to enhance the industry's competitiveness and innovative capability while ensuring that development is underpinned by attention to food safety and consumer demands. My Department and the development agencies are administering the initiatives. Funding has been allocated for: capital investment, €152 million; in-company research, €36 million; institutional research, €70 million; marketing and promotion, €61 million; and human resources development, €39 million.
All the measures are now operational and approvals and expenditure are broadly on target. Up to the end of 2001, almost €71.73 million had been awarded under the various measures with awards of €23 million being made under the capital investment and institutional research measures. The package which, on full implementation, is expected to help increase sales by €2.6 billion by the end of 2006, represents a comprehensive response to the development needs of the industry as identified by the food industry development group and the agri-food committee. This comprehensive strategy for the development of the industry over the coming years places emphasis on added value, market orientation and competitiveness and will continue to build upon the integrated approach adopted under the food sub-programme 1994-99. I am confident these initiatives will assist the food industry to meet future opportunities and challenges and allow them to avail of the substantial growth opportunities that exist in this industry, both in the home and export markets.
