Donal Carey
Question:46 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for the Marine the total expenditure on fish processing from the operational programme for rural development for the period 1989 to 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Fish Processing Sector.
The total investment approved under the relevant EC regulations for the fish processing and marketing sector in the period 1989-93 will come to some £45 million. The EC aid associated with this investment comes to £20 million. Of the total investment of £45 million, about £20 million was approved under the EC Regulation No. 355/77 and related to the years 1989 and 1990. Employment in the sector during this period is estimated to have increased by 360.
The balance of the investment, £25.19 million, is being supported under a new EC Regulation No. 4042/89, which has replaced Regulation No. 355/77. It is estimated that this investment of £25.19 million will yield more than 500 new jobs and will serve to protect the long term viability of 750 existing jobs in the fish processing industry.
A major achievement of the present programme is the provision of support for Irish companies to enable them to meet the standards of health and hygiene required under new community directives. With this in mind and to help those involved to avail of EC funding a special grant aid scheme was instituted last year by the Department of the Marine.
It is envisaged that the fish processing investment programme will continue over the medium term. Plans for a £40 million investment programme and the creation of 800 jobs have been drawn up in the context of the preparation of the National Development Plan.