Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

A rule on minimum expenditure has been agreed, which is 10% for competitiveness, 25% for the environment and 10% for the wider rural economy. Leader, part of Deputy Ó Cuív's portfolio, will address these issues. We have witnessed a significant increase in the number of artisans. On the basis of decoupling, we will see future investment in the food industry, which I would like to happen in the small and medium sectors. They have been supported by Leader groups, city and county development boards and county enterprise boards.

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, has been vociferous in forcing the case that when companies grow past the ten employee threshold, Enterprise Ireland should be forthcoming in supporting them. I initiated a food forum two weeks ago, which is examining the implications and changes currently taking place in these enterprises. Having all of the agencies together has been informative and we can hopefully build on it.

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