431. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of industrial hemp processing or decortication facilities currently operating in the State; and their locations. [52442/26]

The Minister for Health is responsible for licencing the cultivation of hemp with a licence issued pursuant to Section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Applications for a licence must specify the exact location and size of the cultivation. The Department of Health does not keep records of the number of industrial hemp processing or decortication facilities. However under a condition of the licence the cultivator must record the name and address of the person to whom the plant is sent for processing or disposal.