asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the number of people employed by the North West Fisheries Board on a permanent and part-time basis; and the duties assigned to the various employees.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - North West Fisheries Board Staff.
9.
The number of people employed by the North Western Regional Fisheries Board is as follows: 31 permanent staff; 2 part-time staff.
All staff are engaged in carrying out the board's functions on the protection and development of the fisheries in the region.
Would the Minister accept that in setting up the new boards, emphasis will be placed on development of the salmon fishing industry as it appears that fishery officers are carrying on the role of bailiff——
A question please, Deputy.
Does the Minister accept that they are not involved in development to the extent that one would like to see?
It is a question of balance. They have a dual function, protection and development. If the Deputy is convinced that they are predominantly concerned with protection it probably indicates the level of illegal fishing going on with which they are trying to cope. If they were free to pursue the development aspect of their work they would be delighted to do so because it would be easier for them as they would have regular hours.
Does the Minister accept that they are engaged in the role of bailiff for a short period of the year? Can he say if any definite programme in relation to the development of spawning beds and so on which is necessary in relation to the salmon industry has been carried out or if any programme has been prepared for these officers?
The regional boards are responsible to the central board and they draw up their own programmes in each area depending on the need for such programmes and the conditions applying in each regional area. At present much progress has been made on development, not to my full satisfaction or to anybody's full satisfaction, but within the resources available to them both in finance and manpower they are doing a first-class job. The reason they seem to be predominantly involved in protection is because of the level of illegal fishing. I do not agree that that is only for a short period because illegal fishing takes place right into the close season.
Will the Minister tell the House if the manager of the North West Fishery Board is included in the 31 permanent staff or is he part-time?
I regret I cannot give the Deputy that information.
Is the Minister aware that the manager of the North West Fishery Board is also manager of the Western Fishery Board?
He is now acting manager of the north west board and he is manager of the western board.
Is he included among the part-timers?
He is not included in the part-time element. That concerns a caretaker and a fishery officer.
Into what category was the manager put?
The manager is included in the 31.
As permanent?
Yes.
And he is also manager of the western board?
At the moment we are between times and an appointment is about to be made to the north west board.
It is very unsatisfactory, particularly from the point of view of the western fishery area, that the manager appointed is not in a position to give the full amount of his time to his duties as manager of the Western Fishery Board area. Will the Minister indicate to the House when a new manager will be appointed to the north west so as to free the manager of the Western Fishery Board to look after the duties of that area?
The closing date for the receipt of applications for the vacancy in the north western region was 14 June. I understand that interviews have started in regard to the appointment to that region.
Has the Minister a breakdown of the percentage of the allowances to the board that goes on salaries as against the amount for development in each area?
I do not have that information.
That is clearly a separate question.