Vol. 474 No. 6
59 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Marine the number of vessel modernisation projects approved by his Department since 1994; the number of vessels approved for decommissioning grants to date; if he has satisfied himself with the progress of the modernisation scheme and the decommissioning scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3654/97]
Over £17 million of EU and Exchequer aid is available to support expected total investment of some £37 million in the fleet over the period of the Operational Programme for Fisheries 1994-99. Under last year's decommissioning scheme, 19 vessels were decommissioned. Decommissioning premia paid by way of grant aid totalled over £2 million.
The scheme was designed to enable Ireland to meet its mandatory fleet targets under the MAGP, while at the same time assisting in the long-term development of the fleet by facilitating the entry of more modern vessels.
Under the fishing vessel modernisation scheme, 128 vessel modernisation projects have been approved for grant aid of just over £4 million, representing a total investment of over £15.25 million.
