Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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130. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the future prospects for the cereal growing sector with a view to ensuring a reliable income for those involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20287/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Tillage is an integral component of our Agrifood industry, making a significant contribution to overall National agricultural output. The Irish cereals sector plays a significant role in the supply of high quality grain to the feed industry, providing raw material for the food and drinks industry and is a key source of seed production.

Cereals are therefore a significant stakeholder in our agrifood industry from a supply/food safety and sustainability viewpoint and the continuance of an efficient and viable tillage sector in Ireland is vital.

I acknowledge that cereal production has experienced difficult challenges in recent times.

However, my Department continues to provide significant supports to the sector. The Tillage Capital Investment Scheme under TAMS II covers specific areas of investment for tillage farmers with over €7.7 million distributed to over 700 tillage farmers to date.

Early last year I announced that the EU Protein Aid Scheme was extended for 2018, resulting in over €2.83m being paid to growers to date. This important Scheme, worth €3m to growers, is available again in 2019 providing support to growers who opt for growing eligible protein crops.

My Department also provides a high quality official crop seed certification scheme to the industry, in addition to an extensive national crop variety evaluation programme, providing invaluable information to growers on the latest varieties available.

The agrifood sector continues to explore the development of novel markets for cereal products seeking to improve competitiveness and sustainability with Irish malting barley demand increasing with growth

in demand for Irish whiskey.

I can assure the Deputy that I remain fully committed to this important sector which plays a key role in the development of the wider agrifood industry.