Written answers

Wednesday, 31 January 2007

Department of Agriculture and Food

Poultry Industry

8:00 am

Photo of Dan NevilleDan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1331: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the developments and progress following her meeting with representatives of the former Castlemahon poultry producers in November 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1401/07]

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 1351: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to establish a hardship fund for poultry producers with redundant broiler houses as a result of the closure of Castlemahon Chickens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1774/07]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1331 and 1351 together.

I am aware of the serious concerns of these poultry producers from my meeting with them last November. No hardship fund exists to assist procedures in this situation. Many commercial broiler producers, however, who were under contract to Castlemahon have taken the opportunity since the closure of adapting their premises to free-range poultry production units. My Department is in the process of inspecting many of these units with a view to assisting this transition and registering them as free-range producers. I understand that there are more producers showing interest in this area as well.

In addition to this some commercial broiler producers who were under contract to Castlemahon Foods are now supplying four other major poultry slaughter plants, and this figure may rise.

The Government and the Industrial Development agencies recognise the need to create employment opportunities in Co. Limerick that will provide sustainable jobs and recent announcements indicate success in this regard.

A recent example of the attraction of Limerick as a location for new business was the decision by Northern Trust Corporation to create 300 high quality jobs in the financial services sector. Another example is Vistakon which recently announced its intention to expand its Limerick operation and create 120 jobs in high-end manufacturing.

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