Vol. 446 No. 3
218 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine the allocations of grants paid out in respect of the Government aid package to assist the Irish fishing fleet; if he will indicate the manner in which the £5 million allocated was disbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2132/94]
I understand that payment by BIM under the "bad weather" package for the fishing fleet amount to £1.885 million to date. Disbursements have been made as follows: 304 payments to vessel owners who incurred financial losses, £1.321,000; 112 payments for losses of gear, £336,000 and 263 payments to crew members, £228,000. Further claims totalling £576,000 are currently being processed and will be cleared once outstanding information such as tax certificates or social welfare returns has been received.
I am anxious to ensure that all reasonable claims for assistance under the package are positively considered and that the available funding be used to the maximum extent possible to relieve genuine hardship. I have directed that all outstanding claims be dealt with speedily and that the mechanisms for assessing claims should be such as to ensure that eligible applicants receive their full entitlements.
