Robert Molloy
Question:208 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for the Marine in relation to the bad weather aid scheme, the total amount paid to crew members; the average payment: the total amount paid to boat owners; and the average payment. [2004/95]
Written Answers. - Emergency Aid Scheme.
Robert Molloy
Question:209 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for the Marine the name, address and amount paid to each individual who received compensation for loss of earnings under the £5 million Fishermen's Compensation Fund. [2005/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.
The emergency aid scheme was introduced last April to deal with hardship and losses arising from prolonged bad weather during the previous winter. To date, a total of £412,000 has been paid to 433 crewmen under the scheme. A further £78,000 approximately will be paid to another 82 crewmen, when additional information required to finalise claims is provided. The average payment to crewmen will amount to some £950.
Payments to 374 vessel owners to date amount to £1,900,000. An additional £104,000 approximately will be paid to another 26 vessel owners when additional information required to finalise their claims is provided. This will result in the average payment being just over £5,000. A further £484,000 has been paid to the owners of 168 vessels in respect of the loss of static gear. The average payment per vessel will be just over £2,800.
The detailed administration of this scheme is a matter for An Bord Iascaigh Mhara which has advised that, as payments from the scheme primarily represented hardship and assistance, the publication by it of a list of individual recipients would be an intrusion into fishermen's private affairs.