John Deasy
Question:1145. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grants and supports, including marketing, available to assist indigenous craft beer brewers and distilleries. [54611/17]
View answerTuesday, 16 January 2018
Questions (1145)
Written answers
Food Wise 2025 recognises the huge growth potential of craft and micro-brewing and spirit drink production and there has been remarkable development in this sector in the last few years. In this regard, there are a number of sources of grant aid and other supports provided by Government to indigenous craft beer brewers and distilleries.
Marketing and promotional support for indigenous brewers and distillers is available from Bord Bia including the Thinking House initiative which offers Research & Development facilities to new business startups in the food and drinks industry.
Grant assistance is available from Enterprise Ireland (EI) for the development of new breweries and distilleries through the Job Expansion Fund and the Capital Investment Funding schemes.
In addition, the Government has provided support for craft and microbreweries through the tax system. As part of Budget 2017, the excise duty relief for microbreweries was increased to 40,000 hectolitres per annum while the previous Budget allowed this tax relief upfront instead of as a tax rebate, as was previously the case.
Funding may also be available to craft brewers and distillers through the LEADER programme.