Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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443. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure that progress is made between his Department and an association (details supplied) to ensure that fair rates are set to meet the increasing cost of this service by the industry; and if his attention has been drawn to the serious consequences which could arise should there be further disruptions to the collection of fallen animals here. [43054/19]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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448. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if commitments given on the commencement of a bridging scheme to address the financial crisis in knackeries will be honoured in full as per the agreement reached on 16 September 2019 between his officials and an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43167/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 440, 443 and 448 together.

I am fully aware of the value of the Knackery industry to the farming community and fully appreciate the integral part that knackeries play in the protection of Ireland's food industry.

For this reason, my Department is committed to putting together a scheme that will provide for significant financial support and which will stabilise and will restore a level of competitiveness to the industry. 

I understand that another meeting has been arranged between Department officials and the Animal Collectors Association to discuss this matter further.