Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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1680. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on measures to support the development of commercial flour milling in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18825/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The Climate Action Plan has set a target of growing the tillage area to 400,000 hectares by 2030. The Food Vision 2030 Tillage Group Report, published in May 2024, sets out a road map for the growth and development of the sector between now and 2030.

Adding value to tillage crops grown on Irish farms and sharing this value with farmers is one way of ensuring the long-term viability of the tillage sector. Irish wheat grown to produce flour is one such added value crop.

The Food Vision 2030 Tillage Group Report included an action on exploring opportunities for developing a premium milling industry in Ireland.

My Department has engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Enterprise Ireland on this action. A consultation carried out by Enterprise Ireland with industry has identified that bakery manufacturers in Ireland would strongly welcome the development of an Irish flour mill.

I also understand that Enterprise Ireland are currently exploring the feasibility of capital supports for viable proposals for the development of flour milling in Ireland.

The tillage sector is an important and integral component of the agrifood industry making a significant contribution to overall agricultural output and this Government is committed to growing the area under tillage crops in the years ahead.