Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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163. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 70 of 25 October 2022, the status of the establishment of the wool council; if the promised €30,000 for initial set-up costs has been drawn down to-date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61361/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for her interest in this matter.

Having fulfilled the Programme for Government commitment to conduct a review into potential markets for wool-based products, the independently compiled wool review was published by the Agile Executive in July of this year.

As the Deputy will be aware, one of the main recommendations of the review was the establishment of an independent Wool Council by industry.

It is envisaged that this Council will lead the development and promotion of Irish wool domestically and internationally.

It will also be a forum where stakeholders can further examine and explore the potential uses for wool identified in the Wool Feasibility Study report. In support of this Council, my department has committed to providing €30,000 in financial assistance towards the initial set-up costs. 

I am eager to see the formation of this stakeholder led Wool Council as quickly as possible. Talks are ongoing between the relevant stakeholders in the wool industry and a meeting of the stakeholders will take place in the coming weeks with a view to seeing up the Wool Council. My Department officials will attend this meeting briefly to outline the logistics of drawing down the €30,000 funding for initial set up costs.

Once established, it is my hope that the Wool Council will use the findings of the wool review to provide a clear pathway towards maximising the potential of this valuable natural and sustainable resource long into the future.