Local Fianna Fail T.D. Aine Brady has welcomed the launch of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy for the accelerated growth and international development of Ireland’s prepared consumer foods industry but has called for resources to be focussed towards Kildare.
The Strategy was launched by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan TD and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD.
“I understand from An Tanaiste that the Government through Enterprise Ireland expect to provide around €30 million over the next five years to companies in the prepared consumer food sector through its R&D and Growth Funds.”
“This significant funding could be of great assistance in securing jobs and industry in north Kildare where we already have companies such as Green Isle, Dawn Farm Food and Tara Vale Foods.”
“This new Strategy will help companies like Green Isle, Dawn Farm Food and Tara Vale to reach their full potential for growth and export by giving practical support and assisting with funding for R&D, innovation and productivity improvement.”
“North Kildare, Naas in particular, has real potential to become a ‘home’ for the production of consumer foods and this Strategy will assist in this.”
“The consumer food companies we have in north Kildare have great potential and I am hopeful that they will expand to realise this and in the process secure jobs and industry for the area and put Naas on the food map,” concluded Deputy Brady.