Michael Bell
Ceist:46 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will outline (1) the programmes run each year by An Bord Glas and (2) the success or otherwise of these programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - An Bord Glas Programmes.
An Bord Glas is implementing development programmes which aim at a combined market share recovery and export expansion of £60 million and the creation of 1,800 full-time and 1,500 part-time jobs. Considerable progress has already been made and the outlook for horticulture continues to be positive. Confidence in the future potential of the industry has been apparent by the unprecedented level of uptake of grants under the Operational Programme for Rural Development and FEOGA Processing and Marketing Schemes over the past 18 months. In addition, the production and value of horticulture, excluding potatoes, increased by almost 10 per cent last year and the value of output of potatoes increased by almost 30 per cent. Exports of fresh vegetables now exceed imports.
Over the past five years it is estimated that almost 2,000 full-time and 850 part-time jobs have been created in the horticultural sector.