asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry: (a) the number of applicants for salmon farm grants received by Bord Iascaigh Mhara to date; (b) the amount of State aid presently available for grant-aiding salmon farms (c) the amount of EC aid presently available and the amount requested from EC funds during 1987 and 1988: (d) the reason it has been found necessary to seek outside advice on the presentation of fish farmers products when such aid is available through Córas Tráchtála and other State agencies; and (e) if the major report prepared by BIM on salmon farming will be circulated to all those now involved in this new development.
Written Answers. - Salmon Farming.
39.
(a) The number of applications for salmon farm grants received to date in 1986 by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara amounts to 30 (excluding second-phase expansions of applications already approved).
(b) The budget for financing the board's mariculture grants scheme in 1986 is IR£500,000. Salmon projects compete on their merits for finance from this scheme. Grants are also available from Údarás na Gaeltachta for suitable projects in Gaeltacht areas.
(c) There is no specific amount of EC funding available on a national basis for aquaculture projects. The current EC structures regime which expires on 31 December 1986 provides the sum of 34 million ECU for such projects in all member states and Irish projects compete on their merits with all other Community projects. Grants of up to 50 per cent are available to Irish projects approved by the EC Commission. The Community is at present discussing the introduction of a revised structures regulation to be effective for five years from 1 January 1987 under which it is proposed that a sum of 125 million ECU will be allocated towards aquaculture projects for the whole Community.
(d) The BIM report on salmon farming was carried out in the main by BIM personnel with assistance from an outside agency on specialised production technology. In carrying out the market research, the facilities of CTT were fully availed of where appropriate.
(e) The major BIM report on fish farming is already available to those involved in the fish farming industry.
40.
asked the Minister for the Gaeltacht (a) the number of applicants for salmon farm grants received by Údarás na Gaeltachta for grant/aiding salmon farms in 1986; (b) the amount of money available by Údarás na Gaeltachta for grant-aiding salmon farms; (c) the amount of EC grant available to Údarás na Gaeltachta for salmon farm development in 1986 and the amounts likely to be applied for in 1987 and 1988; (d) the number of salmon farm projects which Údarás na Gaeltachta has aided in 1986 and the total amount paid out for 1986, together with details of the amount appraised by Údarás na Gaeltachta in 1987; and (e) the form of joint plan, if any, which has been formulated by Údarás na Gaeltachta and BIM in the present and future development of salmon farming in this country.
Tuigim ó Údarás na Gaeltachta (a) go bhfuarthas 21 iarratas ar chúnamh do thograí feirmeoireacht bhradán go dtí seo i mbliana;
(b) nach gcuirtear suim airgid ar leith ar leataobh do thograí feirmeoireacht bhradán as an soláthar caipitil a thugtar don eagraíocht;
(c) gur díreach leis na príomhaithe a íoctar cúnamh on gComhphobal Eorpach (FEOGA) i leith tograí feirmeoireacht bhradán; gur íocadh deontais FEOGA dar luach £212,205 go dtí seo i mbliana le tionscnaimh feirmeoireacht bhradán a bhfuil cúnamh á fháil acu ón Údarás; agus nach féidir a rá faoi láthair cé mhéid airgid a bheidh ar fáil ó FEOGA i mbliana d'fheirmeoireacht bhradán sa Ghaeltacht nó a lorgófar ó FEOGA i 1987 agus 1988;
(d) gur ceadaíodh 9 dtogra feirmeoireacht bhradán go dtí seo i mbliana, gur íoc siad deontais dar luach £136,699 go dtí seo i mbliana i leith 4 thogra agus nach féidir a rá ag an bpointe seo cé mhéid a íocfar i 1987; agus
(e) go bhfuil an tionscal feirmeoireacht bhradán sa Ghaeltacht á fhorbairt i gcomhairle leis an Roinn Turasóireachta. Iascaigh agus Foraoiseachta agus leis an mBord Iascaigh Mhara faoi réir a bhfuil i gcoitinne faoin tionscal sin sa tuarascáil de chuid an Choiste Comhairleach Earnála faoi Fhorbairt an Tionscail Iascaigh.