Vol. 426 No. 7
11 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the measures, if any, he intends to introduce to build up small industry through productive use of indigenous resources such as food processing and timber processing.
The Industrial Development Authority has ongoing business development and grant programmes for small industries from which companies in the food and timber sectors can benefit. These include programmes on management development, capability enhancement, linkages and business partnership. In addition, the National Food Centre offers research, analytical and management services, as well as product and process development and quality control activities, which are available to small food businesses. Furthermore, small food businesses have been supported by grants under the FEOGA marketing and processing scheme operated by my Department. Opportunities also exist, of course, for small food and timber enterprises under the Leader programme.
The Programme for Government emphasises our intention to implement a development programme for the food industry following consideration of the report of the expert group on the food industry, which I expect to receive within a month or two.
Is the Minister of State aware that the Taoiseach told the House last week that timber imports amounted to £181,000 and 464,000 tonnes for the nine months up to September 1992? Is the Minister appalled that on the very day we lost 800 jobs in the west there were substantial reports in his Department which proved we have a major viable wood pulp processing industry if we had the know how, determination and the foresight to develop it? We could create between 400 and 500 jobs in the north-west of the country if only we would bite the bullet in this regard.
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Deputy Hyland, has particular responsibility for the food processing industry. I know he is well aware of that situation and the matter is being vigorously pursued in the Department.
