Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to provide a well funded rural enterprise policy to focus on a broad spectrum of rural enterprise with a special emphasis on artisan and small food production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28644/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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In 2006, the Small Food Programme secured grant aid to deliver a dedicated training programme for rurally based small food businesses through the Accel programme (DETE initiative). This added significantly to the supports available for small food producers and has provided a structured training environment for their development through to 2008.

In December 2007 small food producers in the Dairy and Meat sector received a significant boost with the announcement of the appointment of two specialist advisors for a two year period covering 2008 and 2009. Funding of over €350,000 was pledged to Teagasc to employ Technical Food Advisors with expertise in the dairy and meat sectors. The new technologists are working on the development and delivery of technical support primarily for artisan food businesses in those sectors. They will liaise with food businesses to identify their technical and development needs and will ensure that the best knowledge, skills and technology is made available through training, advice and technical support to these food businesses.