80 Mr. McGahon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if ordinary commercial butchers will receive any of the recent funding that he announced for the meat industry towards the building or restructuring of small slaughter houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18570/01]

Under the recently launched national development plan for the food sector, provision has been made to assist capital projects in the livestock sectors under certain conditions which could include the domestic abattoir sector. Eligible projects will be assessed on a case by case basis. It should be noted, however, that aid may only be granted to enterprises that comply with existing minimum standards regarding hygiene, animal welfare and the environment.