Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 504: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to ensure that beef processing facilities here are substantially upgraded through the full rollout of the €50 million investment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28558/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 515: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to invest in a programme to upgrade processing facilities in the sheep sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28569/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 504 and 515 together.

The Capital Investment Aid Scheme for both the beef and sheepmeat primary processing sectors was launched in April 2007. The support package, amounting to €50 million, should trigger overall investment of some €120 million. The objective of the scheme is to make financial assistance available towards the cost of the construction and acquisition of buildings, new machinery and equipment and, consequently, assist the industry in improving efficiency and competitiveness and in so doing, not only strengthen primary processing but also underpin agricultural incomes.

Enterprise Ireland, which is responsible for the management of the scheme, is currently completing its project evaluation process.