asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total acreage of Irish agricultural land devoted to horticulture and of this, the total under glass; the measures, if any, which are planned to increase the acreage devoted to horticulture and the proportion under glass; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Development of Horticulture.
14.
The total acreage under horticulture in 1987 was about 24,400 acres, of which 800 related to glasshouse crops.
The Government is strongly committed to the development of the horticulture industry. An Bord Glas, which has been set up on an interim basis, established a number of commodity teams to look at the problems facing the various sectors of the industry, including the glasshouse sector. The reports of the teams are currently being examined by the board with a view to the preparation of a blueprint for the future development of the industry. The aim is to develop the potential in horticulture by increasing output and exports, reducing imports and, in the process, creating more employment.