Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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131. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts that have been made to form a sheep industry group recommended in the wool feasibility study published in July 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53204/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the independently compiled wool review was published in July of this year. A main recommendation of the review was the establishment of an independent Wool Council by industry.

Once established, this Council will lead the development and promotion of Irish wool domestically and internationally. It will also act as a forum to bring together multiple stakeholders in order to foster collaboration, innovation and scaling activities in the wool sector.

I am very supportive of the establishment of this independent industry-led Wool Council which can use the findings of the wool review as a roadmap to develop pathways towards maximising the true potential of Irish wool into the future.

I understand that stakeholders in the Wool industry have taken the initial steps towards the formation of the Wool Council. Once established, my Department has committed to providing €30,000 in financial assistance towards the initial set-up costs.