Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 November 2010
18 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the proportion of the budget for food industry competitiveness, marketing and innovation that has been spent in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40574/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Food Sector Competitiveness Fund, approved by Government in 2009, included lean manufacturing, R&D and marketing initiatives. The budget provided for 2010 is €9.5 million comprising €7 million for lean manufacturing and R&D initiatives managed by Enterprise Ireland and €2.5 million for marketing initiatives by An Bord Bia. By the end of 2010, nearly €3 million will have been spent on lean manufacturing including leadership training including €593,864 in expenditure to date. Further projects underway together with applications in hand will mature for payment in 2011. This includes much of the €450,000 in €5,000 innovation vouchers recently awarded to food companies. With regard to the €2.5million for marketing, Bord Bia has allocated this to initiatives underway.
