asked the Minister for the Marine the outcome of the structures committee decision on the 24 October, 1988 concerning applications for grants for aquaculture projects in this latest tranche; the number of successful applications relative to the total number of applications compared with the last tranche; and the way in which the ECUs now approved compared with the last tranche.
Written Answers. - Aquaculture Projects.
75.
£2.36 million has been earmarked for aquaculture development projects in the latest decision tranche by the European Commission. This level of grant-aid represents a major boost for the aquaculture industry in Ireland and is timely recognition of the commitment of the industry and the Governments programme for its development.
The grant-aid package follows an initiative undertaken by me with two specific objectives: these were to convince the EC Commission of the critical importance of the development of aquaculture to less developed areas in Ireland and to work with the industry and State agencies to ensure that projects submitted for grant-aid were presented in the best possible light. A total of ten projects will be grant-aided from 22 submitted; of the 12 unsuccessful applicants this time round, ten remain eligible for grant aid in the next tranche. This is the largest ever award to Irish aquaculture projects by the European Commission and compares with grant aid award of £0.994 million in April, 1988 in respect of eight projects from a total of 19 submitted.
I will be continuing my efforts to secure high levels of EC grant-aid for aquaculture development in the future.