Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers involved in mushroom production in 1997 on a county basis; the number involved at present on the same basis; if she is satisfied that enough effort is being made to support family farm units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29278/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The numbers of farmers involved in mushroom production on a county basis in 1997 and at present are as follows:

I am aware that a significant number of family farm units have ceased mushroom production in this period in spite of the support provided. While the level of output of the mushroom industry has remained relatively stable over the past ten years, production has moved from small-scale units to larger-scale operations. In the 1980s and 1990s enterprises were established with relatively low capital costs and family labour was used to grow and pick the mushrooms. Family and local labour has become scarce and more capital-intensive methods of production are required. This has considerably raised the cost of mushroom enterprises.

Under the NDP Horticulture Programme (2000–2006) my Department prioritised the mushroom sector for grant aid and it has paid out grants in excess of €5m for approved investments of some €14.5m to 190 applicants during the period 2000 -2006, many of these family farm units. The new NDP Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of Commercial Horticulture (2007-2013) has just recently been launched and mushroom producers may apply for capital grant aid in respect of specialised equipment and facilities.

The mushroom industry has also been greatly assisted by the EU Producer Organisation Scheme with €23.4m of aid paid to organisations since 2000. The key aim of the PO scheme is to enable fruit and vegetable growers, including mushroom growers, to concentrate supply, reduce production costs, stabilise producer incomes and use their combined strength to sell their product in a very competitive market environment.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of commercially viable food and drink products that have been brought forward through Teagasc or university research here in the past ten years; if she is satisfied that enough progress is being made as Ireland moves from EU support systems to the real market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29279/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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FIRM, the Food Institutional Research Measure funded by my Department, is the primary funding mechanism for competitive public good food research at third level (universities, Institutes of Technology and Teagasc). FIRM and the earlier Non Commissioned Food Research Programme have funded foundation type, pre-commercial research since 1994 with the key aim of establishing a knowledge base and expertise in generic technologies that can support an innovative, consumer focused and sustainable food industry.

An analysis of 58 completed projects, which were funded under FIRM in the 2000-2006 period, has shown that 30 projects resulted in outputs with commercial potential. Of the remaining 28, seven led to industry uptake or changes in industry behaviour and one secured funding from Enterprise Ireland for further development. Another two led to the development of new methodologies. Many projects funded under FIRM have drawn on consumer interest in quality foods and healthy lifestyles. FIRM has funded the development of gluten free cereal based convenience foods, organic breads and confectionery and reduced fat cheese for pizza toppings. Projects awarded funding in 2006 are tackling issues such as low-salt consumer products and functional foods.

FIRM has increased collaboration and capacity building in Irish research centres and established a cadre of food researchers, trained to PhD and postdoctoral level, with specialist skills of benefit to the Irish food sector. Projects are usually carried out by multi-disciplinary teams from two or more institutions, some linked with food manufacturers, which promotes centres of excellence. Research outputs are communicated to industry by a dedicated dissemination team, RELAY.

As it is a public good programme FIRM does not fund commercialization of research but research bodies and companies may avail of Enterprise Ireland support measures in this area.

I consider that it is very important to secure optimum benefit for the food industry from the research results emanating from FIRM. With that purpose in mind I recently established an industry led food Research Group representative of all stakeholders. The Group will advise on themes and priorities for research under my Department's research programmes. It will also interact with and provide an Irish view and input for the EU Technology Platform and the Framework Programme.