327 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the value of public funds provided to date to a group (details supplied) in County Leitrim by his Department or agencies under the control of his Department; the source of such funding and its purpose; when did the facility commence operation; the number and details of the commercial food enterprises operating from the centre and the staffing level in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13661/07]

I understand that in 2003, the Drumshanbo Community Council received a grant for a Feasibility Study from Leitrim County Enterprise Board to a total value of €6,350. The purpose of this grant was to investigate the feasibility of renovating the Laird/Kepak Food Facility into a food village, now known as the Drumshanbo Food Hub.

Drumshanbo Food Hub was also approved for assistance amounting to €300,000 in 2003 under Enterprise Ireland's Community Enterprise Centre Scheme. Drumshanbo Food Hub opened in 2006 and there are currently three food enterprises operating from the Centre, employing a total of 13 people. In addition, a number of site visits to The Food Hub by inward investors have been facilitated by Enterprise Ireland. The agency will continue to promote this quality food production incubation space.