Written answers
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Department of Agriculture and Food
Departmental Agencies
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of businesses that have benefited from the Bord Iascaigh Mhara seafood development centre; the level of investment which has been required to facilitate this incubation centre for new businesses; if there is a similar facility available for the broader agrifood industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10963/10]
Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Seafood Development Centre (SDC), which delivers on a key recommendation of the Government strategy 'Steering a New Course' seafood strategy 2007-2013, will support and provide industry with a commercially focused innovation and new product development capability. The SDC is managed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara, which has advised that 60 seafood companies have used or are using the innovation facility since its launch in October last year.
BIM's integrated business development and innovation programme which includes the SDC can assist industry to achieve a shift to value-added and over a five year period, aims to achieve €100 million in additional value-added seafood sales. BIM see significant potential for value-added produce in terms of seafood health and wellness benefits, consumer friendly packaging and convenient ready meals, organic seafood and optimising by-products from fish processing.
The SDC is a bespoke facility which was provided by the Office of Public Works as an integrated part of the decentralised complex of co - located offices for BIM the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the fisheries divisions of the Department of Agriculture , Fisheries and Food in Clonakilty and the costs are the responsibility of that Office. The SDC is particular to the seafood sector and other developments and facilities are available to the broader agrifood industry.
Paul Brady
Posted on 30 Mar 2010 9:44 pm (Report this comment)
"60 seafood companies have used or are using the innovation facility since its launch in October last year"
I think the definition of the word "used or are using" should be investigated as should the claim that 60 companies have found the facility of use. Surely these companies could have accessed expertise via BIM as a whole without the need to travel to Clonakilty and use the facility.
"The SDC is a bespoke facility.....The SDC is particular to the seafood sector and other developments and facilities are available to the broader agrifood industry"
A "bespoke facility" or a facility only looking at seafood at a time when seafood marketing has been transfered to Bord Bia as food is FOOD. Additionally, why do we need a "bespoke" stand alone seafood development centre when "facilities are available to the broader agrifood industry" within 40km of Clonakilty (UCC, Teagasc Moorepark) and throughout the country (Universities, I.T's, Incubation Centres etc) with expertise in the broader agrifood industry? The seafood sector should be treated similarly to other food types and BIM are claiming expertise in an area which would be better served by other agencies with resources, complement of staff and knowledge of all food types. One of the most blatant duplication of services, facilities and remit in evidence in the Public sector.