asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will explain the total underdevelopment of the fish processing industry in Ireland; and whether there are any plans for State initiative to stimulate the development of fish processing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Processing Industry.
3.
As the Deputy is aware, the establishment of fish processing plants is primarily a matter for private enterprise in the first instance. In order to promote such development assistance is afforded by State agencies such as An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the Industrial Development Authority and Údarás na Gaeltachta, as appropriate, for suitable projects. Such projects can also attract grant aid under the EEC marketing and processing scheme.
I do not accept the implication in the question that the Irish fish processing industry is totally underdeveloped.
Capital investment in the fish processing sector has in the five years 1979-1984 (October) amounted to £26.7 million, of which State grants constituted £7.0 million and EEC (FEOGA) grants £5.9 million.
The Minister will be aware that in relation to secondary processing there is a huge potential for job creation and benefit to the economy if a more vigorous policy is adopted. Can the Minister indicate whether his Department or BIM have any arrangements or have had discussions with the IDA to ensure that more attention is given to secondary processing of our own produce with a view to creating additional employment opportunities and added value for the State?
BIM encourage processing, particularly secondary processing. To this end BIM work closely with the IDA, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the ICC and AnCO. BIM place special emphasis on product and process development, refrigeration, plant lay-out and quality control. They at all times encourage processing.
Is the Minister aware that a number of promoters have sought to establish fish processing industries at Rossaveal, the only major fishing harbour on the west coast, and that they have not been able to proceed due to delays in the further development of Rossaveal harbour? This has been held up for the past three years.
It has been held up for somewhat longer than three years. It is a specific question and if the Deputy puts it down I will give full details.
The question relates to fish processing.
Question No. 3 as drafted is a very general question and the Deputy is now raising a specific matter on which the Minister could not be expected to have information in his brief.
The question seeks information on a State initiative to stimulate the development of fish processing. I am asking whether the Minister is aware that there are promoters who are very anxious to establish fish processing plants at Rossaveal. Plans for the development of the harbour have been in the Minister's Department for perhaps five years. We cannot understand why no decisions have been made on these development plans. Whatever delays were occasioned when Fianna Fáil were in office, two years have passed and the project should have been put out to tender and started. Why is the Minister holding it up now?
I am not holding it up.
The Minister will be aware that the lack of processing capacity is hampering the development of certain species. Is he aware of the possibilities in a number of areas which are not being exploited and has he any plans to initiate in BIM a new drive to open up processing of species which have not been utilised up to now? What does he proposes to do about it?
There is an on-going interest in new areas of processing. The IDA, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the ICC and AnCO are involved with BIM in searching out and following up inquiries from private individuals.
Question No. 4.
What are the prospects like for the next three or four years?
Very good.
How many are employed in processing?
I have not the numbers.