Food Drink Ireland reaction to Budget 2025

Food Drink Ireland (FDI), the Ibec group representing the food and drink sector, has welcomed the Government’s announcement in Budget 2025 to unlock €1.5bn from the National Training Fund over the coming years.

Linda Stuart-Trainor, FDI Deputy Director, said “With almost 165,000 people employed in the agri-food sector, a skilled labour force is key to our ability to produce world-class food and drink products. Today, the Government has made an important commitment to unlocking the National Training Fund. We are eager to collaborate on the rollout through additional funding for apprenticeships, an Upskilling Incentive Scheme for SMEs and fostering a green talent pipeline, as the sector continues to invest in sustainable technologies and processes.”