Food Drink Ireland reaction to Budget 2026

Food Drink Ireland (FDI), the Ibec group representing the food and drink sector, has welcomed improvements to the R & D tax credit system, which continues to be an important tool for incentivising food and drink businesses to engage in research and development.

Paul Kelly, FDI Director said “We welcome the expansion of the Research and Development (R&D) tax credit to 35%, up from 30%, and the widening of the scope of qualifying research. We need to significantly increase innovation in the sector through enhanced funding, incentives and innovation services to place the sector at the cutting edge of food excellence. It is also important that the forthcoming R&D Compass addresses the incremental nature of innovation in the food sector and recognises process improvements and intellectual property that is generated from these activities”.