asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the outline progress which has been made in meeting the job creation targets for the food industry set in the Programme for National Recovery: the number of jobs created in the food industry since the programme was agreed; the number of jobs lost in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Food Industry Development.
36.
A five-year develpment strategy (1988-1992) for the food industry has been drawn up jointly by my Department and the IDA. Several major projects have already been approved for grants by IDA within that programme and I am confident that these will lead to extra jobs over the next few years. In addition substantial funds are being channelled to the food industry from FEOGA under Regulation 355 on the processing and marketing of agricultural products. Following the decision of the European Council earlier this year to double the Structural Funds generous assistance for the industry from that source will continue to be available in the future. The food industry is of course, also experiencing what industry in general has been experiencing in recent times, namely, a need for increased capital investment, higher levels of technology and a growing trend of contracting out services not directly related to core business. While these trends affect the rate at which extra jobs are generated, it is clearly essential for our food industry to be ready to adapt to modern standards in order to be internationally competitive. The industry has already demonstrated the necessary capacity to prepare itself to meet the challenge of the Single European Market, and with the help of the financial support that is available to it I am confident that the job creation targets envisaged for the industry in the Programme for National Recovery will be achieved.