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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 May 1996

Vol. 466 No. 2

Written Answers. - Fleet Policy.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

152 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine the steps, if any, that have been taken to improve working conditions and safety by reducing the age of Ireland's offshore and inshore fleets in view of the programme entitled A Government of Renewal. [11162/96]

Current investment support strategies under the operational programme are designed to improve the efficiency, safety and age profile of the fleet in conformity with our mandatory EU fleet targets. The good take-up to date of modernisation incentives for existing vessels is contributing to those objectives. I have established a high level Review Group on Fishing Vessel Safety which is examining all the factors relevant to fishing vessel safety. The review group will report to me shortly and I will be giving the most careful consideration to its recommendations.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

153 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine the measures under the Operational Programme for Fisheries 1994 to 1999 that have been taken in response to the statement saying that as regards fleet renewal a strictly limited number of incentives will be given in special circumstances to promote the development of underdeveloped sectors of the fleet such as the whitefish sector; and if he will make a statement on the current undeveloped status of the whitefish fleet. [11168/96]

In the context of stated policy measures in relation to fleet renewal, the Operational Programme for Fisheries 1994-99 provides for a specific study to determine the relative social and economic merits of the introduction of new vessels as against the modernisation of existing vessels. This study will be commissioned shortly as part of the overall review of the future directions of fleet policy which I have asked the Department to undertake and will give full consideration to all relevant factors, including the economics of realising available fishing opportunities, ongoing EU fleet policy to address the overcapacity problem in the EU fleet overall and the outcome of the Review Group on Fishing Vessel Safety.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

154 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine his policy in relation to addressing the age profile problem of Ireland's fishing fleet in view of a structural policy document of October 1994 to assist fisheries and aquaculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11169/96]

Funding for renewal and modernisation of the fishing fleet is provided under the Operational Programme for Fisheries 1994-99 with over £11 million of EU and Exchequer aid available to support total investment of some £31 million over the period. To date, 131 vessel modernisation projects have been approved for grant-aid of just over £4 million under the operational programme representing a total investment of over £15 million.

The investment support strategy under the operational programme is designed to improve the efficiency, safety and age profile of the fleet in conformity with our mandatory EU fleet targets. The good take-up to date of available incentives for modernisation of existing vessels is contributing to those objectives.

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