Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2026
1034. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures being taken to strengthen collaboration between food producers, food businesses, Teagasc, MTU and UCC in the development of food innovation and agri-tech research in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57021/26]
View answer1037. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the supports available through Enterprise Ireland and related agencies for the development and commercialisation of smart farming technologies, precision agriculture solutions and agricultural software systems developed in Cork County; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57024/26]
View answer1038. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the supports available to the agri-tech sector in developing AI and automation technologies for use in farming, food production and environmental monitoring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57025/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1034, 1037 and 1038 together.
Through my Department, Enterprise Ireland provides a wide range of supports to indigenous companies developing artificial intelligence (AI), automation technologies, precision agriculture solutions, smart farming systems and environmental monitoring technologies for application across the agri-food sector. These supports are available to companies at all stages of development, from start-up and early-stage innovation through to commercialisation, scaling and export growth, including companies in County Cork developing innovative agri-tech products and services.
Enterprise Ireland's supports include High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) funding, innovation and research supports, commercialisation programmes, digitalisation and productivity initiatives, and market development and export supports. Companies can avail of Innovation Vouchers, Innovation Partnerships and Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) supports to develop new products, services and processes, including AI-enabled technologies and advanced digital solutions.
Enterprise Ireland also provides access to a strong national innovation infrastructure through the Technology Gateway Network and the Technology Centres Programme, which connect industry with research expertise in areas such as AI, data analytics, advanced manufacturing, automation, food innovation, sustainability and environmental technologies. Companies can also engage with European Digital Innovation Hubs to test, trial and adopt advanced technologies including AI, robotics and automation.
A key component of Enterprise Ireland's support for innovation in the agri-food sector is the development of stronger research and industry collaboration. In December 2025, Enterprise Ireland launched a call for proposals to establish a National Food Technology Centre to increase research, development and innovation investment across the agri-food sector, supporting the objectives set out in Food Vision 2030. Following an international evaluation process, a Teagasc-led consortium was invited to prepare a comprehensive five-year business plan for the Centre.
The consortium includes all publicly funded research organisations with significant food science research expertise, including University College Cork (UCC), and is working closely with Enterprise Ireland and key stakeholders across the sector. Subject to approval by Enterprise Ireland's Board, the Centre is expected to commence operations in 2027 with a five-year mandate and a budget of €27.1 million, leveraging an estimated further €54 million in industry investment and competitively secured research funding. The initiative will provide a significant platform for collaboration between food producers, food businesses, Teagasc, UCC, Munster Technological University (MTU) and other research partners in advancing food innovation and agri-tech research.
Enterprise Ireland also supports commercialisation of research through programmes such as FAST-IP (Funding to Accelerate Sustainable Technology based on Intellectual Property), delivered by UCD in partnership with Teagasc. This programme helps develop innovative solutions to challenges facing the agriculture and food sectors through industry engagement, entrepreneurship training and access to research expertise.
County Cork benefits from a particularly strong enterprise, innovation and research ecosystem. Through the South-West Regional Enterprise Plan, Enterprise Ireland works with regional partners to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, digital capability and cluster-led growth, including a specific strategic focus on sustainable food and agri-tech. Cork-based enterprises can access support through initiatives such as the New Frontiers Programme delivered by MTU's Rubicon Centre, the Regional Enterprise Development Fund and the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme.
In addition, Cork's concentration of higher education and research capability, including UCC, MTU, Teagasc, the Nimbus Research Centre, MaREI and other innovation organisations, provides a strong foundation for collaboration, technology development and commercialisation.
Through these measures, my Department, together with Enterprise Ireland and the wider research community, is supporting the development, commercialisation and scaling of innovative agri-tech, AI and automation solutions, while fostering stronger collaboration between enterprise and research institutions to enhance productivity, sustainability and competitiveness across Ireland's agri-food sector.
