asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the grants that are now available to purchasers of fishing boats; the various classes of vessels in respect of which aid is available; and the conditions attaching to the grants.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fishing Boat Grants.
10.
State financial aid for the purchase of new and secondhand fishing boats by fishermen is provided under the marine credit plan administered by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). The detailed information sought by the Deputy is in the form of a tabular statement which, I propose with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to have circulated in the Official Report.
Following is the statement.
(1) New Fishing Boats. Boats up to 90 feet long—Grant: 25 per cent of purchase price. Loan: A loan up to a maximum of 70 per cent of the purchase price is available subject at present to an interest rate of 8 per cent per annum for vessels up to 65 feet long and 8½ per cent per annum for vessels from 66 feet to 90 feet long. The loan repayment period varies with the size of the boat as follows—(i) under 50 feet—15 years maximum (ii) 50 to 90 feet—12 years maximum.
Boats over 90 feet long—At present the marine credit plan does not extend to boats over 90 feet long. Each application for financial aid is considered on its merits by BIM.
New boats are eligible for consideration for grants up to 50 per cent from the FEOGA Fund administered by the EEC Commission provided—
(a) they are between 12 and 24 metres between perpendiculars and are equipped for any type of fishing, or (b) they are between 6 and 12 metres between perpendiculars and are equipped for a method of fishing other than trawling or purse seining and are operated by persons whose principal activity is fishing, and (c) the applicant is fishing and contributes not less than 25 per cent of the cost of the vessel and the national Government 5 per cent of the cost. This is an interim measure applicable up to 31 December, 1978.
(2) Secondhand Fishing Boats— Grant: Nil. Loan: A maximum loan of 90 per cent of the valuation of the boat as made by BIM is available subject at present to an interest rate of 8 per cent per annum. The length of the loan repayment period depends on the age and condition of the vessel, subject to a maximum period of ten years.
Each application for financial aid is considered on its merit by BIM. Vessels must be constructed in approved boatyards and conform to BIM building regulations.
In general, a loan for a secondhand vessel is normally only made available for a vessel coming on the market as a result of the seller's purchasing a new vessel.
Perhaps the Minister would be good enough to indicate what EEC grants are available, if any, to the various classes of boats referred to and how these grants are being disbursed?
For Ireland and Southern Italy the EEC propose to give grants of 50 per cent of cost in respect of boats up to 90 feet; on boats under 90 feet, 50 per cent cost grants, which is a substantial achievement. That is an interim arrangement this year. We hope to incorporate it in a permanent Common Market fisheries regime once the British agree to such regime and it has been finalised.
Do I take it that the aim generally is towards the establishment and maintenance of bigger boats?
No, in fact the reverse. I said under 90 feet. The whole thinking behind this is based on regional and social considerations rather than encouraging heavy commercial investment in fisheries. Candidly the view within the Community is that conservation is the important matter and that smaller fishermen are not the people who are damaging fish stocks—it is the larger operators, both from third countries and from some Community countries. It is very progressive thinking and I go along with it.
Is the Minister satisfied that Ireland is getting a fair share of the grants forthcoming from the EEC?
We, along with the Italians, are the only beneficiaries in this respect because of our developing situation. It is acknowledged that, for regional and social reasons, we are entitled to this type of concession.