Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 July 2025
199. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures he is taking to support food enterprise and innovation in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35261/25]
View answerMy Department, through Enterprise Ireland (EI), is committed to building on the food sector’s national economic strength by investing in future avenues of growth for the sector in areas including research, technology, and innovation.
As part of its strategy, EI is focused on building a pipeline of highly innovative projects from the existing base and first-time food Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). This will contribute to the sustainable growth of the sector, the creation of high-quality RD&I jobs, and an increase in value and diversity of exports within the food and beverage industry.
In line with Ireland’s Food Vision 2030 Strategy, Enterprise Ireland continues to work in partnership with Government Departments and other Agencies to achieve the vision for Ireland to become a world leader in sustainable food systems over the next decade. This aims to deliver significant benefits for the Irish agri-food sector, for Irish society, and for the environment.
The Food sector was identified as a strategic sector in the Mid-East Regional Enterprise Plan (2022 -2024) given the region has a diverse agri-food sector encompassing microenterprises through to larger companies. In Co Meath, there are food technology and innovation facilities including the Boyne Valley Food Innovation District, Boyne Valley Food Hub (launched in 2023), and Teagasc Grange. Increased RD&I and collaboration between business, research, and other entities plays a key role in supporting the long term, sustainable growth of the food sector.
In 2024, the total number of people employed in EI client companies in Meath was 9,034 which is an 8% increase over 2023.
