Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 February 2024
49. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made on sourcing new markets and uses for wool; if he will provide an update on the work of the wool committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8349/24]
View answerWhat is the up-to-date position on the work of the wool commission? What is happening there? A number of people in my constituency have been in touch with me regarding various business ideas. They are looking for information as to how best to proceed. What information is available from the State and the Department on potential uses for wool in new businesses?
I thank the Deputy for the question. In November 2021, my Department commissioned a study of the wool sector. In July 2022, the report titled Review of Market Opportunities for Irish-Grown Wool Based Products, or the wool feasibility study for short, was published. One of the key recommendations of that study was the establishment of an independent all-island wool council that would be industry-led and comprise multiple stakeholders, including primary producers, farmers and commercial enterprises willing to fund research and marketing activities. In support of this recommendation, my Department committed financial assistance of €30,000 in seed funding. On 5 April 2023, more than 50 stakeholders from the wool sector launched the Irish Grown Wool Council. Members of the council were selected from a wide range of interests within the wool sector and include farmers, wool merchants, sheep shearers, educators, designers, crafters, industry representatives and farming organisations.
As I have said, the Irish Grown Wool Council is an independent body with members from both sides of the Border. My Department does not have a seat on the council itself and the council does not report to me. However, I am aware that the Irish Grown Wool Council has done internal work regarding its structures and governance. It recently held its first AGM - I believe it was this month - to discuss motions such as the appointment of council members and an independent chairperson.
The main external activity carried out since the establishment of the Irish Grown Wool Council was its recent participation in the Design & Crafts Council Ireland 2024 showcase at the RDS in late January. Its participation in the event included three one-hour expert discussion panels. The Irish Grown Wool Council also used the event as an opportunity to launch its IGWC brand and a new website, which can be found at www.irishgrownwoolcouncil.com.
As Minister of State, I met with the Irish Grown Wool Council at the end of last year. I will continue to work with the Irish Grown Wool Council to help it achieve its aims of promoting Irish wool as a natural, sustainable and versatile material and to carry out research to develop alternative markets and uses for Irish wool.
I thank the Minister of State for the update. I encourage all efforts to ensure the wool council is a success. I acknowledge the support from the Department by way of seed funding. I especially acknowledge the fact it is an all-island body. That is very welcome here, as it is in every aspect of life.
I have spoken to a number of farmers and people living in rural communities in Kerry who want to explore various ideas for other uses that could be found for wool other than the more traditional uses. There seems to be a difficulty for people exploring ideas and getting feedback. For example, one person was on to me who was looking to do something with wool on the insulation front. They are finding it difficult, even with the assistance of other State agencies, to get anything substantial in the type of information they would need to develop a business further, access to finance and so on. Is there any advice the Minister of State could give to such people or is there any help available within her Department to assist such entrepreneurs?
I thank the Deputy. There is a lot of interest from farmers and crafters in the opportunities with wool. I would encourage anyone who is interested or has an idea to engage with the Irish Grown Wool Council because, essentially, it is its function to gather such information and come up with proposals for what would be necessary to develop an industry using Irish wool. The wool research and innovation hub was also established to support the Irish Grown Wool Council, and its purpose is to conduct research and innovation to deliver products to market and aid with their commercialisation. This group is headed by the Circular Bioeconomy Cluster South West at the Kerry campus of Munster Technological University. There are all sorts of potential areas, as the Deputy has outlined, in product development, whether that is in the horticulture sector with compost, in pelting, or in the construction sector where it can be added to cement or used to decarbonise construction in that way. There are also opportunities in packaging, be it in building products or in cosmetics. In one sense the world is our oyster when it comes to wool. It is about generating and creating those routes to market and making sure there is a demand for these products. Unfortunately, at the moment there is not and that is why we are in the situation we are in. As a sheep farmer myself I know how frustrating that is.
I thank the Minister of State for the information. I appreciate it.
We will return now to Question No. 47 in the name of Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh but which will be taken by Deputy Claire Kerrane.
