Written answers

Thursday, 15 July 2021

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Trade Promotion

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

62. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the terms of reference of the review of the potential demand in international markets for wool-based products have been finalised to-date; if so, if he will provide a copy of the finalised terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38147/21]

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

One of the actions under the Programme for Government is to undertake a review of the potential demand in domestic and international markets for wool based products such as insulation and fertilisers. Following the allocation of €100,000 in Budget 2021 for this review, I initiated a public consultation process in early March 2021 to determine the terms of reference for such a review.

Interested parties were invited to submit comments on the proposed Terms of Reference and/or submissions on the potential market opportunities for wool products on the domestic and international markets.

The proposed terms of reference were as follows:

- the identification of market opportunities domestically and internationally for wool based products;

- carrying out economic feasibility and cost benefit analysis on proposed market opportunities;

- determining mechanisms that could be used to support industry initiatives; and

- identification of potential research projects applicable to supporting the identified market opportunities.

The closing date for submissions was 2nd April 2021 and over 40 submissions were received. A wide range of proposals on the potential market for wool products were received. As there were no material changes proposed in relation to the terms of reference for the review, they remain as detailed above.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the Request for Tenders (RFT) to carry out this major study was published on 8th July 2021. The closing date for receipt of submissions is 9th August 2021. The successful service provider will be contracted to carry out a feasibility study in accordance with the Terms of Reference detailed above and will be also required to examine and evaluate the proposals received under the public consultation process and produce a report on their findings.

The time frame for the completion of the review including the tendering process, consultation with the stakeholder group which I am currently establishing and publication of the final report is end of November 2021. The recommendations from this review will help focus the development of a robust policy roadmap for the Irish wool industry.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.