Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2026
111. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the State supports in place to support the manufacturing of chocolate in Ireland; the measures to support marketing Irish chocolate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38256/26]
View answerMy Department, through its agencies, supports Irish food and drink manufacturing businesses to set up in Ireland and to scale, expand and access our world-leading food innovation ecosystem. The Irish food and drink sector is globally recognised and is critical to our economic success.
The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) network offers business advice and training supports for new food businesses, including chocolate manufacturers. The LEOs provide a range of supports including Start Your Own Business programmes, Food Starter Academy programmes and feasibility and priming grants.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) plays a key role in developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem for new food and beverage companies, including chocolate manufacturers, in collaboration with other state agencies such as Bord Bia, which has a mandate to promote, assist and develop the marketing of Irish food worldwide. Bord Bia supports Irish chocolate manufacturers by providing market research, export guidance and global fair trade coordination.
EI have developed and implemented a number of food specific initiatives to boost the quality and quantity of startup companies in the food sector that have the highest potential for export and employment growth.
In June 2025, EI hosted the third Food Innovation Summit at Croke Park in Co Dublin. The event served as a platform to showcase food innovation within the food and drink start-up ecosystem. The summit featured presentations by highly innovative food and drink start-ups, highlighting their development journeys.
Food Works, Ireland’s Food and Drink Accelerator programme, is a collaborative programme co-managed by Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, and Teagasc. The Programme helps early-stage food businesses grow, scale, and become investor-ready. Established in 2012, Food Works has supported over 100 food and drink start-ups.
Enterprise Ireland guides all Food High-Potential Start-Up (HPSU) client companies to food hubs such as Bia Innovator, and to Teagasc operated facilities, where they can access a range of additional supports.
The Regional Enterprise Development Fund supports enterprise centres nationally. Examples include the Guinness Enterprise Centre, which connects businesses with the Dublin food network support eco system.
Enterprise Ireland offers equity investments and tailored grants to food businesses throughout their growth journey. EI also maintains a constant dialogue with the local investment community, including the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and related VC-managed funds, to present emerging investment opportunities relating to Irish food and drink start-ups.
