Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1322. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the work of the Wool Council; to outline its terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38839/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Programme for Government I undertook a review of the potential demand in domestic and international markets for wool and wool-based products and I delivered on this Programme for Government commitment with the publication of the Wool Review Report in July 2022.

The main recommendation of the Wool Review Report was that an independent Wool Council led by industry would be established. This independent Council would develop and promote Irish wool domestically and internationally and bring together multiple stakeholders to foster collaboration, innovation, and scaling activities in the wool sector.

The Irish Grown Wool Council was formed on 5 April 2023 and is an independent stakeholder-led Council. Members of the Council represent a wide range of different industries and interests from within the wool sector including educators, designers, crafters, farmers, wool merchants, sheep shearers as well as industry representatives and farming organisations.

The Irish Grown Wool Council's aim is to "Bring Wool stakeholders across the island of Ireland together to realise the potential of Irish Grown Wool as a natural, sustainable and versatile material, by building on its rich heritage, enhancing the understanding and appreciation of the characteristics of Irish grown wool, improving the quality and sustainability of Irish farmed wool, facilitating collaboration in product and market research and ultimately applying innovative product solutions."

The Wool Council intends to "Promote an Irish Grown Wool Brand both domestically and internationally. It is empowered to create and oversee structures designed to bring disparate groups together for collaboration, innovation and scaling activities.

The Council also established a Wool Research and Innovation Hub which is led by the Circular Bio-economy Cluster Southwest at MTU with members from a number of different Higher Education Institutions. The stated purpose of the Wool Research and Innovation Hub is "to bridge the gap between idea and execution through new product research and innovation, enhancing the perceived value of Irish wool

Further details regarding the Irish Grown Wool Council can be obtained directly from the Council by contacting irishgrownwoolcouncil@gmail.com.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1323. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts that are being taken to improve the price of wool and to build a market for Irish grown wool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38840/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Gaining access to new markets and opening new trading opportunities for Irish wool exports while simultaneously strengthening established export markets has been and remains an integral part of my Department's strategic approach to the development of the agrifood sector.

Under the Programme for Government I undertook a review of the potential demand in domestic and international markets for wool and wool based products and I delivered on this Programme for Government commitment with the publication of the Wool Review Report in July 2022.

The main recommendation of the Wool Review Report was that an independent Wool Council led by industry would be established. This independent Council would develop and promote Irish wool domestically and internationally and bring together multiple stakeholders to foster collaboration, innovation, and scaling activities in the wool sector.

The Independent Irish Grown Wool Council was officially launched on 5 April 2023. I am particularly pleased to see the coming together of independent stakeholders to form the Irish Grown Wool Council. Members of the Council represent a wide range of different industries and interests from within the wool sector including educators, designers, crafters, farmers, wool merchants, sheep shearers as well as industry representatives and farming organisations.

The Council intends to "Promote an Irish Grown Wool Brand both domestically and internationally. It is empowered to create and oversee structures designed to bring disparate groups together for collaboration, innovation and scaling activities"

I believe that the formation and ambitions of the Irish Grown Wool Council will help to improve Irish wool prices and develop markets for Irish wool products going forward.

Further details regarding the Irish Grown Wool Council can be obtained directly from the Council by contacting irishgrownwoolcouncil@gmail.com.