Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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235. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the costs incurred by his Department in investigating the recent horsemeat scandal. [23278/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The following direct costs have been incurred, to date, by my Department arising from the recent investigation:

Overtime costs of approximately €5,000 have also been incurred. In addition the Department diverted a very significant level of resource from other tasks to this investigation.

It is envisaged that DNA testing costs and expenses arising from additional official controls relating to the detection of non-compliances will be recouped from the food business operators concerned.