Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. It is true that on the agrifood side the impact will be most adversely reflected in the rural economies. The Deputy's reference to the study which refers to 80% of employment being outside of the greater Dublin region is relevant in this regard. This is the reason for all the serious initiatives we have taken.

The stakeholders forum has met on two occasions. The list of representative groups with which I have met bilaterally to discuss their concerns is quite lengthy. Brexit is a standing item on the agenda of the high level implementation group, HLIG, on Food Wise 2025. It is an issue that consumes every waking moment. Every policy is Brexit-proofed in terms of how we can assist a sector. The €150 million loan fund was not driven by Europe. We got €11 million from Europe for the livestock sector. We thought it was strategically far more important to put €14 million of Exchequer funding alongside that €11 million and thereby leverage a loan fund of €150 million rather than spread the €11 million across 100,000 family farms. The €150 million fund is not an EU-led scheme.

On the mushroom sector, we have specific initiatives in place. We already make significant funding available to producer organisations. There is a €5 million capital investment scheme available in my Department for the mushroom sector in particular. That sector also has access to the €150 million loan fund. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Andrew Doyle, has met with some of the substantial players in the mushroom sector. That engagement continues. In what is a fluid situation, appropriate policy instruments are being developed not only in my Department but across the whole of Government.

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