asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will give details of all financial assistance at present available to oyster fishermen for the development of oyster beds in the west of Ireland.
Written Answers. - Oyster Beds Development.
322.
An Bord Iascaigh Mhara operate a national mariculture grants scheme for the development of fish farming generally including that related to oysters. Under the scheme, grants are available for both pilot and commercial scale projects: (a) pilot projects: grant assistance is related to capital expenditure on suitable projects, subject to an upper grant limit of IR£20,000; (b) Commercial Projects: grants are available of up to 30 per cent of the capital expenditure involved. In areas under its jurisdiction, Udarás na Gaeltachta operate a grant scheme under which grants of up to 60 per cent of capital expenditure are available for suitable fish farming projects.
Grant assistance from the EEC under the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (FEOGA) is also available for suitable commercial scale projects and may be up to 50 per cent of capital costs.