Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 February 2010
624 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 335 of 27 January 2010, the details of the measures geared to improving the competitiveness of the food industry which will be operated by Enterprise Ireland using €7 million from budget 2010; when these measures will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5136/10]
View answerThe objective of the €7 million in funding which will be provided by my Department and administered by Enterprise Ireland is to improve competitiveness within the food sector in export markets. This is linked to sustaining viable companies and enabling them to exploit world market opportunities. The focus of initiatives in 2010 will be to enable key exporting companies to adopt sustainable 'best-in-class' lean business practices, by use of world class business consultancy assistance, funded by grant assistance. In addition, leading food companies will be assisted in developing leadership and management capability to best international standards through world-class programmes. These needs were clearly identified in the report of the Food Expert Skills Group in 2009.
In respect of timing, the roll-out will be throughout 2010, with tailored initiatives in lean business processes for large, medium and small exporting companies in the industry.
