Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 28 May 1992

Vol. 420 No. 5

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

59 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food whether a company (details supplied) received any grants from his Department or through FEOGA; if so, if he will outline the value of any such money paid; if he has satisfied himself that value for money was obtained from the public money involved; if he has received any complaints from members of the public regarding the operation of the plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The company in question received no grant aid from my Department towards the cost of its new pig slaughtering and processing plant or for any other purposes. The EC Commission awarded FEOGA grant aid totalling £4,215,058 to the company. Payments amounting to approximately £3.022 million have been made to date.

Prior to grant approval, the project was examined and evaluated in detail as to its contribution both to job creation and to the overall plan for the rationalisation and modernisation of the pig-meat industry. The job projection at the time has been met by the company and the overall plan is proving successful.

I have received no complaints from members of the public regarding the operation of the plant.