Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Senator Pippa Hackett):

As the Deputy will be aware, despite wool's versatility and uses in many industries, wool prices remain low. To address this issue and seek a more favourable outlook for the wool industry, in March 2021, I initiated a comprehensive review of the industry. This review, which was a programme for Government commitment, concerned the potential demand for wool-based products, including insulation and fertilisers, in domestic and international markets. I set aside funding of €100,000 to carry out this review.

In July 2022, this programme for Government commitment was delivered with the publication of the wool review report. The report, which was compiled independently by the Agile Executive, contained a number of findings and recommendations including potential funding streams, market opportunities and multiple areas for additional research and development for wool. One of the main recommendations related to the establishment of an independent wool council, led by industry, that would develop and promote Irish wool domestically and internationally and bring together multiple stakeholders to foster collaboration, innovation and scaling activities in the wool sector.

It is envisaged that this council would be a forum where stakeholders can further examine and explore the potential uses for wool identified in the wool feasibility study.

In December 2022, a meeting of the stakeholders interested in forming a wool council took place. This group discussed their common aims, as well as agreeing to establish a working group to take the next steps in formally establishing the wool council. Officials from my Department also attended this meeting to outline the criteria needed to draw down the seed funding of €30,000, which I announced last July.

The next meeting of the wool council stakeholder group is set to take place in the coming weeks. At that meeting, the draft terms of reference will be presented and nominations for council officers will be sought. The establishment of the council is a vital step that will lead to new opportunities and greater returns for this natural sustainable product.

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