asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the title, function, date of establishment and budget of each non-commercial State-sponsored body under his aegis; and if the rate of increase in its budget has exceeded or been less than than the rate of increase over the past five years of (a) his own Department and (b) Government expenditure generally; and, if so, by how much.
Written Answers. - State-Sponsored Bodies.
578.
Non-commercial State sponsored bodies have been established in my Department in the inland fisheries (A) and sea fisheries (B) sectors:—
A
Titles: 1. The Central Fisheries Board; 2. The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board; 3. The Southern Regional Fisheries Board; 4. The SouthWestern Regional Fisheries Board; 5. The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board; 6. The Western Regional Fisheries Board; 7. The North-Western Regional Fisheries Board; 8. The Northern Regional Fisheries Board.
Functions: The functions of the above boards are set out in the Fisheries Act 1980 are primarily the development and protection of inland fisheries.
Date of Establishment: The boards were established on 29 October 1980.
Budget: The following amounts were paid to the boards out of the Fisheries Vote in 1981—
|
£ |
|
|
The Central Fisheries Board |
1,450,700 |
|
The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board |
366,000 |
|
The Southern Regional Fisheries Board |
380,000 |
|
The South Western Regional Fisheries Board |
428,000 |
|
The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board |
234,000 |
|
The Western Regional Fisheries Board |
299,000 |
|
The North Western Regional Fisheries Board |
318,000 |
|
The Northern Regional Fisheries Board |
339,300 |
|
Total |
3,815,000 |
The above amounts paid to the seven regional fisheries boards in 1981 were in respect of the fifteen months from 1 October 1980 to 31 December, 1981. This was necessary to cover the transition period immediately before and after the establishment of the boards on 29 October 1980. The boards now operate on the basis of a 12 month financial year which coincides with the calendar year.
The following amounts were allocated to the boards out of the Fisheries Vote in 1982:—
|
£ |
|
|
The Central Fisheries Board |
1,630,500 |
|
The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board |
334,367 |
|
The Southern Regional Fisheries Board |
363,244 |
|
The South Western Regional Fisheries Board |
401,347 |
|
The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board |
235,055 |
|
The Western Regional Fisheries Board |
233,735 |
|
The North Western Regional Fisheries Board |
308,382 |
|
The Northern Regional Fisheries Board |
327,953 |
|
Total |
3,834,583 |
In addition to the above amounts the eight boards derive each year additional income from fishing licence duties, fishery rates, registration fees, angling fees, and fees for services such as fishery survey work. The total annual income derived by all eight boards from these sources is approximately £500,000.
As the Central Fisheries Board and the regional fisheries boards have been in existence only since 29 October 1980, the second part of the Question does not arise.
B
Title: An Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
Date of Establishment: 1952 (Sea Fisheries Act, 1952).
Functions: Administration of the scheme of loans and grants for Fishing boats and gear; Operation of ice-plants; Provision of an advisory service to fishermen to improve fishing techniques and promote co-operation among fishermen; Training of fishermen; Development of markets at home and abroad for fish and fishery products; Administration of the scheme of grants for aquaculture and the provision of an advisory service to those engaged in aquaculture; Preparation of application to FEOGA on behalf of fishermen and those engaged in aquaculture; Encouragement of investment in worthwhile fish processing undertakings.
The above functions were exercised by the Irish Sea Fisheries Association before the establishment of An Board Iascaigh Mhara.
Budget: The following amounts have been provided in the past five years as grant-in-aid for An Bord Iascaigh Mhara — 1977, £5,225,000; 1978, £6,150,000; 1979, £9,403,000; 1980, £9,960,500; 1981, £9,696,200; 1982, £9,310,000.
The amount of repayable advances made to An Bord Iascaigh Mhara over the past 30 years to 31 December 1981 for the provision of boats and gear is IR£19,149,416.
|
(Audited Acs) |
||||||
|
Year |
B.I.M. Expenditure |
% |
Fishery Vote Expenditure |
% |
Government Expenditure |
% |
|
£1,000 |
£1,000 |
£1,000 |
||||
|
1977 |
4,658 |
(—) |
7,389 |
(—) |
1,769,773 |
(—) |
|
1978 |
5,751 |
(23) |
9,594 |
(29) |
2,187,357 |
(23) |
|
1979 |
6,340 |
(10) |
11,552 |
(20) |
2,653,139 |
(21) |
|
1980 |
8,823 |
(39) |
17,467 |
(51) |
3,397,932 |
(28) |
|
1981 |
10,710 |
(21) |
18,699 |
(7) |
4,335,000 |
(28) |
|
(Estimated) |