Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 May 2018
162. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the grant aid for capital investment for food and drinks companies as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the €5 million allocation that has been utilised; the number of companies that have availed of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24209/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a number of responses to Brexit, which I have initiated to address the challenges facing Irish Agri-food companies in remaining competitive and innovative, I secured an additional €5m for capital investment in the 2018 Budget. This €5m fund is being administered on behalf of my Department by Enterprise Ireland through its Capital Investment Initiative, which is open to all Small and Medium Sized enterprises with the aim of helping them to improve their productivity and competitiveness through the acquisition of new capital equipment and technology and through innovation.
A total of five companies have now availed of the scheme to date in 2018 with total approved investment from this fund of €1.362 million. A further two companies are at application stage.
