Dáil Éireann - Volume 467 - 27 June, 1996

Written Answers. - Food and Drinks Industry.

Mr. Callely Mr. Callely

121. Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the total number of persons employed in the food and food-related industry; the incentives, if any, available to persons involved in this industry for improvements thereto; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13852/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates) Ivan Yates

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates): According to provisional figures supplied by the Central Statistics Office, the number of persons employed in the food and drinks industry — excluding the fish sector — at the end of 1995 was 40,800. A full range of support measures covering capital investment, research and development, marketing and promotion, and human resources is provided in the National Development Strategy for the industry, which I launched in February 1995. The strategy, which covers the period up to the end of 1999, provides for a total investment of £641 million in the industry, of which £283 million, including £205 million in EU aid, will be provided from public funds. The implementation of the strategy is now well under way and progressing satisfactorily.

Dáil Éireann 467 Written Answers. Food and Drinks Industry.

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