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Research and Development

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021

Wednesday, 3 March 2021

Questions (1081, 1084, 1085)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

1081. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding funding for wool research (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11625/21]

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Claire Kerrane

Question:

1084. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to greatly reduced prices for sheep farmers when it comes to low prices for sheared wool; the action he will take to better support farmers when it comes to sheared wool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11707/21]

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Claire Kerrane

Question:

1085. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will explore new industry using wool production in Ireland given that it will be used to a greater extent for insulation purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11708/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1081, 1084 and 1085 together.

Wool production is an important component of agri-industry. It is a sustainable, organic, renewable natural material which can be used in a wide range of products such as textiles, fertilisers, insulation and packaging.

I was delighted to be in a position to recently announce the allocation of the significant amount of €100,000 for the review of the potential demand in international markets for wool-based products such as insulation and fertilisers and which will assist in developing a roadmap for the Irish wool industry.

I am now very pleased to be able to advise that the proposed Terms of Reference to implement this review will be published on the Departments website www.agriculture.gov.ie under ‘Consultations’ in the coming week. The proposed terms of reference include but are not limited to the identification of market opportunities domestically and internationally for wool based products; carrying out economic feasibility and cost benefit analysis on proposed market opportunities; determining mechanisms that could be used to support industry initiatives and identification of potential research projects applicable to supporting the identified market opportunities.

Interested parties will be invited to submit comments on the proposed Terms of Reference and/or submissions on the potential market opportunities for wool products on the domestic and international market by email. Further details will be available on publication of the terms on the DAFM website.

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