Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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960. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has determined the location the national food innovation hub should be located; the process in identifying a location for the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47054/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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A decision has been made to locate the National Food Innovation Hub at the Teagasc Moorepark Campus, Fermoy. The Food Hub aims to create a supportive environment for research and innovation at Moorepark involving food companies and research organisations with a focus on food, health and nutrition.

It integrates three components at Moorepark: the existing Teagasc food research capability; a state of the art ‘pilot plant’ facility operated by Teagasc subsidiary (Moorepark Technology Ltd.); and the building of 12 new custom designed laboratory and office units so that occupying companies can have an on-campus presence to collaborate with Teagasc researchers and use MTL’s pilot plant facilities.

It is envisaged that this unique cluster will stimulate intensive collaboration between food companies and Teagasc researchers to create a platform for innovation, economic growth and job creation.