Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 478: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the funding available to provide of specific food related initiatives to assist in the enhancement and development of the food industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32940/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the National Development Plan (NDP) 2000-2006 significant funding has been provided for a full range of support measures to enhance the development of the food industry. These cover capital investment, research and development, marketing and promotion and human resource development. Up to the end of June 2006, over €270 million has been allocated under the food related initiatives of the NDP.

Capital investment funding for near farm type enterprises engaged in marketing and processing of agricultural products and funding of public good research under the Food Institutional Research Measure are made available by my Department on a tranche basis under the NDP. Support to the food sector for marketing and promotion initiatives is available from Bord Bia. The development agencies, Enterprise Ireland and Shannon Development, provide a full range of services and expertise to client companies, based on an agreed development plan. The needs of the company are matched with financial or non-financial solutions, or a combination of both, and the level and type of supports are geared towards the individual need of each investment.

The development of a sustainable, competitive consumer-focused agri-food sector is my priority. The Agri-Vision 2015 Plan of Action, which I launched in March, sets out a comprehensive action plan for the future of the agri-food sector. The Plan sets out a new vision in the light of the re-orientation of the Common Agricultural Policy, liberalised trade, changes in lifestyle, the clear emergence of technology and R&D as significant market drivers and major changes in the structures of farming and retailing. The Plan focuses on three key requirements for success in the light of these challenges: competitiveness, innovation and consumer-focused marketing.

As part of my strategy for the development of a competitive and sustainable dairy processing sector, in July of this year I announced details of an investment package for the sector amounting to some €300 million over the next three years. The investment will include some €100 million of Government grant assistance and is designed to act as a catalyst to take the Irish dairy sector forward in a cohesive and strategic manner. The package will enable the State, through Enterprise Ireland, to provide financial assistance in support of capital investment into the marketing and processing of dairy products. Support will be geared toward the individual needs of each investment and will be available toward the cost of construction and acquisition of buildings, new machinery and equipment, and associated costs. I am delighted with the hugely positive response from all stakeholders in the sector and I am confident that the initiative will enable the sector to address the many challenges that lie ahead.