Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
789. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspectors in his Department employed as inspectors at meat processing and food processing facilities; and the full-year cost of their employment. [28196/20]
View answerInspectors are employed in a range of business areas throughout my Department in the areas of Food Safety, Animal Health and Welfare, amongst others.
My Department is committed to the protection and safety of our food industry.
There are currently 50 Veterinary Inspectors employed by my Department as inspectors at meat and food processing facilities throughout the country. The total salary cost of these inspectors for the 12-month period from October 2019 to September 2020 is €4,443,300.72.
Veterinary Inspectors employed at meat and food processing facilities are supported by other staff, including Technical Agricultural Officers and Supervisory Agricultural Officers, as well as Temporary Veterinary Inspectors, engaged by the Department to undertake ante mortem and post mortem inspection services.
