Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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271. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects to publish the wool feasibility study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10385/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, a review of the potential demand for wool-based products such as for insulation and fertilisers in domestic and international markets is one of the initiatives included in the Programme for Government. Following the €100,000 commitment for this review in Budget 2021, in March 2021, I initiated a public consultation to identify the terms of reference for the review. I also invited stakeholders to make recommendations in relation to prospective market opportunities for wool products on domestic and international markets.

The agreed terms of reference are:

- 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;

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

In July 2021, through a competitive public procurement process, a Request for Tenders seeking service providers to carry out this review was published. In November 2021 I appointed ‘The Agile Executive’ a consortium of experts from Munster Technological University and Donegal Yarns, to conduct the review.

The Agile Executive has been contracted to conduct the review in accordance with the Terms of Reference and has also been asked to review the submissions received during the public consultation process. I have been advised that this study is progressing well, and the report is due for publication in March 2022.

I am confident that the recommendations outlined in the report will assist in the formulation of a strong policy framework for the Irish wool industry, and will hopefully identify new opportunities to create value-add products from Irish wool that are environmentally and economically sustainable and further contribute to the Irish Circular Bioeconomy.