Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 209: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the investment the she is making in the nutraceutical sector; the percentage of gross domestic product attributed to this sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33834/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There is no universal definition of nutraceuticals as a sector and therefore, it is difficult to define the level of investment in the sector and the percentage of Gross Domestic Product attributed to it. The nutraceuticals market is frequently defined as encompassing functional foods, vitamins, minerals and supplements and it is evident that it can offer lucrative opportunities to the indigenous food industry. Currently, Irish manufacturing capability is largely confined to a small number of large dairy companies and SMEs in the ingredient and beverage sectors. These companies have successfully launched products such as fortified milk drinks, probiotic yoghurts, cholesterol lowering spreads, energy drinks and functional waters.

Enterprise Ireland is actively involved in supporting this sector and has prioritised it for development. For example, in July 2008, I announced a €19.5m investment (funded by Enterprise Ireland) towards Food for Health Ireland (FHI). FHI is a unique partnership between four of Ireland's major dairy processing companies and four public research organisations. The industry-led research agenda will focus its efforts over a five-year period on maximising the health potential of bioactives derived from milk. In general, the nutraceutical sector is supported through existing EI grant funding mechanisms and EI has supported large-scale strategic investments in research and development for key players in the sector. Other supports to this sector include capital grants and support towards strategic Human Research Development programmes.