Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 May 1996

Vol. 466 No. 2

Written Answers. - Fishing Vessel Decommissioning Scheme.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

30 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine if he will improve the schemes available for fishermen choosing to retire early from fishing in order that they are at least as beneficial as schemes with similar objectives available to farmers in view of the fact that fishermen often face hardship after decommissioning, such as inadequacy of funding to clear overheads and a lack of any pension for ex-fishermen. [11007/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

The fishing vessel decommissioning scheme established last year provided for the payment of premia to fishing vessel owners volunteering to decommission their boats. The closing date for receipt of applications was 31 October 1995. Fifth-nine boat owners have been approved under the scheme. The national rates of payment were set by reference to the relevant EU regulation governing such schemes as well as available funding and the relative market value of vessels.

A good take up under the scheme will assist in the achievement of our mandatory EU fleet targets by the end of the year and will help to improve the overall age profile of the fleet. The scheme also represents an opportunity for older fishing boat owners, or fishermen planning to move into alternative activities, to avail of financial assistance to voluntarily retire from the sector. In addition, under the PESCA Community Initiative funding is also available to assist fishermen to successfully respond to changes in the sector and to diversify into other activities. I have just announced a further round of 45 PESCA projects representing total funding support of £2 million for alternative economic activities right around the coast.

I can advise the Deputy that the EU Council agreed last year, with my support, to the introduction of an early retirement scheme for fishermen in the context of restructuring the Union fleet and consequent socio-economic implications for fishing communities. However, no additional funding has been provided by the EU to support such a scheme. This means that any scheme would have to be funded from existing FIFG allocations which would mean taking scarce funding from our other investment programmes such as fleet modernisation and fish processing where the priorities are job maintenance and job creation. I will, however, continue to encourage the Commission to explore the possibility of providing funding for an early retirement scheme from other sources such as the European Social Fund.

I can also advise the Deputy that the Department of Social Welfare is currently undertaking a thoroughgoing review of the position of fishermen under the social insurance system. The review is being informed by discussions with my Department and the fishing industry.