Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

349. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the level of grant aid paid by her Department or by the agencies under its remit in each of the years 2011 to 2017 in respect of the provision of animal feed compounding facilities and-or feed milling facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43901/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Enterprise Ireland (EI) is the state agency with the responsibility for supporting companies to diversify, scale and achieve in global markets. The food sector accounted for €11.58 billion in client exports in 2017, representing a 10% increase on the 2016 figure.

Buyers of Irish food are increasingly interested in the way in which food is produced, especially regarding meat and poultry. Quality and traceability back to farm of origin are key aspects for food producers, and safe, sustainable animal feed is a key part of the supply chain. Feed mills need to operate at a high level to satisfy the requirements of the customers.

EI engages the sector with a range of Innovation, Lean, Client Management Development and other supports. The table below represents all payments to companies in the animal feed sector from 2011 to 2017.