asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state the detailed proposals to develop a processing plant for natural cheese in Letterkenny, County Donegal; the basis of sponsorship and ownership of this plant; and its projected employment and effect on the dairy industry in the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Cheese Plant.
115.
I agreed in principle some months ago to the grant of a licence sought by Donegal Cheese Co. Ltd., for a cheese factory in Letterkenny, in place of the privately-owned Donegal Milk Products factory, which ceased operation at the end of 1969. The proposed factory will be owned jointly by Japanese interests and Donegal Co-operative Creameries Ltd. The promoters state that the output, estimated at about 1,000 tons in first full year of operation, will be exported to Japan and that about 30 people will be employed initially. This number is expected to increase when the factory is in full production. The factory will help the dairy industry in the area by taking up the milk supply for which the former factory provided an outlet. When the proposed new factory reaches full potential, additional milk supplies will be required.