Vol. 484 No. 4
37 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans, if any, he has for the expansion and extension of the fishing and fish processing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22301/97]
My policy objective for the fishing and fish processing sectors is to maintain and strengthen their contribution to the national economy and in particular their contribution to jobs and growth in coastal communities. Within the available funding envelope, I am supporting targeted investment strategies to deliver on that objective.
Current investment support strategies under the Fisheries Operational Programme are designed to improve the efficiency, safety and age profile of the fleet. I announced recently a new round of Exchequer and EU supported investment of £11 million in the modernisation of the fishing fleet. The package provides some £3.5 million in EU and Exchequer grant aid for 112 fleet modernisation projects under Ireland's Operational Programme for Fisheries. This investment is aimed primarily at the whitefish fleet to enhance safety, quality and competitiveness in the sector.
In addition to my plans for a capital grant aid scheme for a number of new whitefish boats which are currently being finalised, I am pursuing other options to facilitate and attract investment in the fleet, in line with An Action Programme for the Millennium which gives a specific commitment to making the industry attractive to providers of capital by examining the provision of fiscal incentives. My aim is progressing the various initiatives which I have outlined is to achieve a significant turnaround of the whitefish fleet.
Investment of over £20 million involving some £8.3 million in grant aid has been supported to date for the fish processing sector. The grant aid was allocated to both upgrading and development projects.
The objective of investment in upgrading was to assist processors to meet criteria laid down in EU Health and Hygiene Directives. The upgrading programme, which is now complete, was an essential first step in securing the long-term future of the processing industry. All remaining EU funds are now being directed at the development of the processing industry. An additional tranche of development projects will be approved in the near future. The remaining funds available will not be sufficient to fund all projects which are in the pipeline and I will be seeking additional funding to support capacity expansion in the processing sector which has the potential to deliver real jobs in coastal communities.
Investment strategies for the sector as a whole have paid dividends to date in terms of significant increases in fish landings exports and revenue recorded since 1994. There are numerous challenges still to be addressed in delivering on the potential of the fishing industry as a whole, particularly in relation to quality, competitiveness, price and overseas markets. I look forward to working with the industry to deliver on that potential.
