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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Jun 1991

Vol. 410 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Job Creation in Marine Area.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

6 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the areas in which it is expected that the 1,450 full-time and 1,400 part-time jobs promised in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress for the marine area will be created; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

(Limerick West): The programmes set out in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to develop the fishing industry are expected to lead to the creation of an estimated 1,450 full-time jobs and 1,400 part-time jobs over the period 1991-1993.

These jobs will be created in fishing, aquaculture, fish processing and ancillary activities. A table setting out a breakdown of the figures is being circulated.

Programme for Economic and Social Progress.

Breakdown of additional employment by activity.

Activity

Full-time

Part-time

Fishing

130

100

Aquaculture

960

1,100

Processing

300

160

Ancillary

60

40

Totals

1,450

1,400

Since it is not a very complicated list, could the Minister give us the figures for the breakdown for fishing, aquaculture, fish processing and ancillary activities?

(Limerick West): I would be delighted to do that. In fishing there are 130 full-time jobs and 100 part-time jobs. In aquaculture there are 960 full-time jobs and 1,100 part-time jobs. In processing there are 300 full-time jobs and 160 part-time jobs. In ancillary activities there 60 full-time jobs and 40 part-time jobs.

Can the Minister now state how many of those jobs have been created since we are six months into the life of the programme?

(Limerick West): I am sure the Deputy will agree that this information was not sought. If the Deputy would like to put down a question with regard to the number of jobs that have been created up to now I will be very happy to answer him. The question related to full-time and part-time jobs promised in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. If the Deputy wishes to put down a specific question I would be very happy to answer it.

I am surprised that the Minister does not have that information to hand.

(Limerick West): The Deputy did not request it.

The question deals with job creation in the fishing industry and the programme goes on at great length about the alleged performance of the Government in this area over the previous three years. Is it not the case that very few of these proposed jobs have actually materialised, that the jobs projected in the fishing industry are no more than a promise and that the reason the Minister cannot give the information to the House is the shortfall in jobs created since the adoption of the programme?

(Limerick West): The present programme will develop in the same way as the previous programme. I can assure the Deputy that there will be substantial jobs created. For instance, during the period of the previous programme——

Stick to this programme. I am not asking about the previous programme.

(Limerick West):——the industry grew from 12,100 jobs in 1987 to 15,600 jobs in 1990, an increase of 3,500 jobs. The volume of fish landed in Ireland by Irish registered vessels remains steady over the period of the previous programme and the increase in value was in the region of £20 million.

It would appear that the Minister is prepared to give us figures on anything other than the number of jobs which have been created. Is it not the case that because of the restrictions in the way in which the EC policy is applying in relation to fishing that the projections in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress are far-fetched, that they have no basis in reality and that in fact none or very few of the jobs which were projected have actually materialised, and that within the lifetime of the programme we are likely to see a reduction in the number of people employed in the fishing industry?

(Limerick West): As I have indicated, the targets are well on line. As I further indicated, I have no reason to believe but that the present programme will be as successful as the previous one. Indeed to prove that, in the aquaculture sector alone in 1990 there were 2,550 full and part-time jobs. The corresponding figure for 1987 was 1,370 so there was an increase of 1,180. The number of people employed in fish processing increased from 2,930 full-time and part-time jobs in 1987 to 3,620 jobs in 1990, an increase of 690. I want to assure the Deputy that our targets are well in line under this programme.

There are still no figures for 1991.

(Limerick West): I will give the Deputy specific replies if he asks specific questions.

I asked the Minister three times.

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