Vol. 470 No. 4
328 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Minister for the Marine the State companies, if any, under the aegis of his Department; the number employed in each such company; and the amount of the State investment in and annual subvention to each, where applicable. [19345/96]
There are two companies under the aegis of my Department to which the Deputy's question applies. These are Arramara Teoranta and the Salmon Research Agency.
Arramara Teoranta
Arramara Teoranta is a commercial company in which the Minister for the Marine holds 50.65 per cent of the shares and appoints three of the five directors, including the chairman. The remaining 49.35 per cent of the shares are held by the NutraSweet Kelco company which also appoints the remaining two directors. The company employs 30 people directly, and in addition makes payments to seasonal harvesters of seaweed and searods. The authorised share capital of the company is £450,000 of which only £77,000 has been allotted, called up and fully paid by both shareholders, and of which the Minister has provided £39,000. The company does not receive an annual subvention from the Department, but it received grants in 1995 from Údarás na Gaeltachta amounting to £38,448 for capital and research and development purposes.
Salmon Research Agency
The Salmon Research Agency is a company limited by guarantee and not having any share capital. The agency was established in 1955 by the Guinness company which made the investment in land, buildings and equipment. Guinness has withdrawn from the operation of the agency, and it is now effectively a State agency. The agency has the objective of conducting scientific and field research for the purpose of improving and developing salmon and sea-trout fisheries in Ireland, and employs 19 people to this end. The State has not made any investment in the agency, but pays an annual subvention to maintain its operation. In 1995 the subvention amounted to £226,000, including a payment of £66,000 to renew capital equipment, and in 1996 the subvention is £150,000.
