Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will provide support to the former poultry suppliers to Castlemahon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3573/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the serious concerns of these poultry producers from my meeting with them last November.

There is no scope under EU Common Market Regulations to give financial support or aid to these producers. 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 whether in the food area or otherwise 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.