Food Graduate Development Programme

Calls for Innovation Voucher Applications 2010

Opening date: 1st April 2010 Closing Date: 31st April 2010

Dear Colleague, If you own or manage a small limited company with a company registration number and you have a business opportunity or problem that you want to explore, why not apply for an Innovation Voucher worth €5,000? The objective of the Innovation Voucher initiative is to build links between Ireland's public knowledge providers and small businesses and create a cultural shift in the small business community's approach to innovation. Enterprise Ireland is delighted to announce that the Innovation Voucher Initiative is now running in Northern Ireland also. By linking up with Invest Northern Ireland, Enterprise Ireland can now offer voucher holders access to an additional 10 Knowledge Providers in Northern Ireland.

Click here to view the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Vouchers website: Enterprise Ireland Innovation Vouchers

For further information contact:

Pat O’Brien Programme Manager Enterprise Ireland The Plaza East Point Business Park Dublin 3

Ph: +353-1-7272766

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

We are in the process of planning the timetable for the next 18 months for the  Food Graduate Development programme and to this end we are very interested in your comments and feedback on the modules you would most like to see be run in future. Please take a few minutes to complete the short questionnaire. All entries will be put in the hat to win  €150 towards a conference or meeting of your choice.
Survey location:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Z59dUAazQwUsjjyQZEXiRQ_3d_3d

Commitment to development of Agri-Food sector as part of Knowledge economy.

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Brendan Smith TD today emphasised the critical importance of investment in research and development in the development of the Irish food industry and, particularly, in maintaining the industry’s competitiveness.  The Minister said that it was important that, not alone, did the industry continue to produce very high-quality food products, but that it did so competitively to ensure that retailers and consumers would continue to support quality Irish food products and Irish jobs.

The programme was formerly launched by Mary Coughlan TD the then Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Foods and Fisheries(DAFF) in March 2008. In May 2009 DAFF agreed to a further 3 years funding for the Programme as it has been so successful.