Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food, further to Question No. 234 of 29 September 2004, the grant aid which has been returned to her Department; the discussions her Department has had with the company concerned regarding alternative employment on the site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8496/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The last grant payment made by my Department in respect of the Roosky plant in County Roscommon was in June 1997.

My Department and Enterprise Ireland are examining the position regarding contingent liabilities arising from the plant's closure in the wake of a fire in 2002, and the associated legal issues. The process of recovery of any amounts identified as due will follow upon completion of this exercise.

Enterprise Ireland has had a series of discussions with the company on prospects for the Roosky plant where the cannery facility has been retained. The company has undertaken other significant investment in the pork processing sector with primary slaughtering activities at Roscrea and Edenderry, in addition to secondary added value processing facilities at Clara, County Offaly and Jamestown, County Roscommon. This investment profile has led to increased employment levels in the company's pig processing activities and has provided sufficient capacity to meet its current requirements.