Vol. 486 No. 1
230 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the overall number of additional jobs that were to be created under the fisheries operational programme; the number that have been created to the end of 1997; the number of jobs projected for the balance of the operational programme for each of the years 1998 and 1999; if there has been a short-fall; and, if so, in what categories were those shortfalls. [1492/98]
The objective of the Fisheries Operational Programme, 1994-99, is to support targeted investment in order to maintain and enhance the fishing industry's contribution to the national economy and in particular its contribution to growth and employment in coastal communities. The impact of the fisheries measures will include increases in direct employment in aquaculture and fish processing together with indirect job gains in related services. The bulk of the jobs are expected to be created at the end of the programme as projects come fully on stream. A target of 2,000 additional jobs — full-time and part-time — was set for the programme. The external evaluator for the fisheries operational programme is currently developing systems for the generation of comprehensive and robust employment data on the sector.
Currently available data indicate that employment has increased in both the aquaculture and fish processing sector. In the aquaculture sector, there has been an increase of 188 in net jobs since 1992 despite difficult market conditions in the early years of the programme. In the processing sector investment in the early part of the programme was concentrated on upgrading facilities to meet mandatory standards set in EU Health and Hygiene Directives. This investment has, critically, maintained jobs and enhanced competitiveness to date in the sector. Further planned investment in processing development capacity expansion has the potential to create significant employment and growth and in this regard the sourcing of additional funding to support such projects is being pursued.
231 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the total tonnage target to be achieved under the operational programme for fisheries for the decommissioning scheme; the actual tonnage achieved; the number of vessels that were in the age categories of 0 - 20 years, under 30 years and under 35 years; and if he has satisfied himself with the scheme to date in 1998. [1493/98]
The objective set for the adjustment of fishing effort measure of the Fisheries Operational Programme 1994-99 is to remove some 4,000 gross registered tonnage from the Irish fleet over the period 1994-96. The total capacity removed from the Irish fleet, under the decommissioning scheme introduced in 1995, was 1,451 gross registered tonnes. This involved three vessels under 20 years, five vessels between 21 and 30 years, three vessels between 31 and 35 years and eight vessels over 35 years.
The level of tonnage removed from the Irish fleet under the decommissioning scheme assisted Ireland in meeting its fleet targets at the end of 1996 under the Multi-Annual Guidance Programme III — MGP III. The fleet targets for the period 1997 to 2001 under MGP IV were approved by the EU Commission for the Irish fleet on 16 December 1997. I am satisfied with the outcome for Ireland and I do not envisage that a further decommissioning scheme will be needed to meet the targets.
232 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of vessels which have received approval; the number of projects which have been completed; the total expenditure to date in 1998; the total expenditure remaining under the vessel modernisation programme; and if he expects the targets as outlined in the operational programme for fisheries to be achieved. [1494/98]
Under the Operational Programme for Fisheries 1994-99 the renewal and modernisation measure provides for EU aid of 11.9505 mecu approximately £9.2 million.
Since the beginning of the operational programme 243 projects have been approved for EU grant aid of 7.0874 mecu, approximately £5.5 million for the modernisation of 223 vessels. Of these 147 projects have been completed.
An Bord Iascaigh Mhara is the agency charged with implementation of the measure on the ground. The total EU grants paid by it to date in 1998 is £107,102, relating to £522,876 total expenditure.
The amount of EU aid remaining for allocation under the renewal and modernisation measure is 4.8631 mecu approximately £3.7 million. I expect the targets outlined for the measure under the operational programme to be fully met.
233 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the amount allocated in the operational programme for aquaculture projects; the amount which has been expended up to the end of 1997; and the balance remaining to be spent under the programme. [1495/98]
234 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of jobs to be created under the operational programme for aquaculture projects; the number of jobs, both full-time and part-time which have been created up to the end of 1997; and the average estimated cost per job. [1496/98]
235 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the total amount of grants approved for aquaculture projects up to the end of 1997; and the number of companies that were grant aided up to the end of 1997. [1497/98]
236 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the total employment in aquaculture for the years ending 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. [1498/98]
237 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the criteria, if any, used for aquaculture projects based on jobs created; if so, whether the grants are paid following the creation of these jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1499/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 to 237, inclusive, together.
EU and Exchequer funding totalling £12.26 million is being provided to support an estimated total investment of £30 million in aquaculture under the Operational Programme for Fisheries, 1994-99. The total investment approved in five tranches to the end of 1997 under the aquaculture measure amounts to some £18.66 million. Certified expenditure to the end of 1997 is £8.34 million. The balance of £10.32 million is being certified systematically as the required invoices and documentation is submitted by beneficiaries to Bord Iascaigh Mhara. The remaining planned investment of some £7.21 million will be considered for approval in further tranches to be announced during 1998 and 1999.
The amount of EU funds approved for aquaculture projects up to the end of 1997 was IR£6.6 million involving 73 projects, 63 companies. In addition BIM, in the period January 1994 to December 1997, has approved grant aid totalling £1,062,000 to 126 companies in respect of 161 projects, under its aquaculture pilot projects scheme.
The aquaculture measure of the Operational Programme for Fisheries makes provision for the creation of 1,310 jobs and the maintenance of existing jobs in the industry. These jobs, located for the most part in coastal rural communities with few alternative employment prospects, make a worthwhile contribution to the economic and social wellbeing of those communities. The number of jobs to be created in projects already approved for EU grant assistance is 234 full-time and 204 part-time at an EU grant cost per full-time equivalent job of £19,780.
|
Full-time |
Part-time |
Total |
|
|
1994 |
913 |
1,996 |
2,909 |
|
1995 |
860 |
2,086 |
2,946 |
|
1996 |
793 |
2,007 |
2,800 |
238 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of jobs to be created under the operational programme for the fish processing sector. [1500/98]
240 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of new jobs which have been created in the fish processing sector under the operational programme up to the end of 1997; and if he anticipates if the overall projected job target will be achieved by the end of 1999. [1502/98]
242 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number employed in the fish processing sector for each of the years ending 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. [1504/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 238, 240 and 242 together.
239 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the amount of funding provided for the fish processing sector in the operational programme. [1501/98]
The Operational Programme for Fisheries, 1994-99, provides for total investment of £23.2 million in the fish processing sector over the period of the programme. A sum of £9.4 million is being provided by way of EU grants while the national grant element will amount to almost £1.2 million.
241 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of new projects which have been created in the fish processing sector up to the end of 1997. [1503/98]
A total of 97 projects are approved for funding under the fish processing measures of the Operational Programme for Fisheries, 1994-99.
243 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself that the funding of fish processing projects have been in accordance with the programmes outlined in the operational programme. [1505/98]
In line with the objectives and development strategy of the Operational Programme for Fisheries, 1994-99, a total investment of £18.7 million, comprising 97 project approvals and an EU grant assistance allocation of £7.7 million, and involving the maintenance of 2,250 jobs and the creation of 130 new jobs, has so far been approved under the processing measures of the operational programme. The grant aid was allocated to both upgrading and development projects.
Investment in the early part of the programme was concentrated on upgrading facilities to meet mandatory standards set in EU Health and Hygiene Directives. This investment has, critically, maintained jobs and enhanced competitiveness to date. All remaining EU funds are now being directed at the development of the processing industry which has the potential to create significant employment and growth and in this regard the sourcing of additional funding to support such projects is being pursued.
244 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the amount of the overall expenditure for the fish processing sector which has been expended up to the end of 1997; and the balance remaining under the operational programme. [1506/98]
The Operational Programme for Fisheries, 1994-99, provides for total investment of £23.2 million in the fish processing sector over the period of the programme. A sum of £9.4 million is being provided by way of EU grants while the national grant element will amount to almost £1.2 million.
To date, a total investment of £18.7 million in 97 processing projects and comprising EU grant assistance of £7.7 million and national grants of £0.9 million has been approved under the processing measure of the operational programme. This commits a total of 82 per cent of the EU funding available under the programme. Current indications are that approximately £17 million or 91 per cent of the approved expenditure has actually been incurred to date.
