Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2238. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date by his Department on examining the feasibility of a scouring plant for wool in developing an Irish wool brand, as per the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44133/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are currently two research projects underway which include examination of novel and scalable approaches for wool scouring in Ireland.

In 2024, my Department announced funding of over €550k for the SPRINGWOOL project. This project will, among other things, examine the feasibility of, and design of, a mobile wool scouring unit.

Scouring is a key enabler for an effective and innovative wool sector, with wastewater treatment being an underpinning factor for the sustainability of scouring. The project will aim to deliver a sustainable and achievable solution for wastewater treatment and will explore the potential for the development of a mobile wool scouring unit, compliant with wastewater regulations.

I am also aware of a EPA funded project, entitled ‘Regenerative Value Systems for Irish Grown Wool in Ireland (REVEIRE)’ which seeks to address the economics of wool production in the context of a sustainable, circular bioeconomy. This project in particular will investigate feasibility and business models of novel scalable scouring through biorefinery to assess the potential of local scouring of wool across the island of Ireland.

The outcomes from both projects will help inform Government of the feasibility of a scouring plant in Ireland.