Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I wish to comment on the input made by the Chairman. In the programme of Government, and it has started in reality, there are additional supports for the horticulture industry to fill the space where we import produce that we could grow here. I also know that my colleagues in other Departments are interested in pushing that aspect.

Specifically on the points made by Senator Garvey, food waste happens at every level. Earlier this year, we published an action plan on the circular economy and there are specific actions around food waste that needs pushing. Food wastage is complex as there are issues around accessibility, education and the income side of things.

Certainly, FoodCloud is a well run operation. To my knowledge, it has three hubs across the country and I am not sure if there is a need for more. I will raise the issue in the further discussion that will, hopefully, happen. I am not sure that the Senator heard what I said earlier so I reiterate that I propose to write to all Departments that have some sort of investment in the food poverty side of things, and the Department of Health is key in that regard. I would like to find out more about the reach of the organisations that they support in terms of the meals-on-wheels side of things that she mentioned, and find out if there is some way to assess whether there are gaps.