Vol. 487 No. 3
45 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans, if any, his Department has to give financial assistance to the fishing industry by way of national or EU funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3753/98]
EU and Exchequer funding of £79 million is supporting a total investment programme of over £141 million for the fishing industry under the Fisheries Operational Programme 1994-99. The funding is supporting targeted investment in the sector in order to maintain and enhance its contribution to the national economy and in particular its contribution to growth and employment in coastal communities. This is being achieved through specific investment programmes for fleet modernisation, fishery harbour development, fish processing, marketing, training and research. Almost £40 million of the total EU aid of £63 million available under the Operational Programme has been committed to projects to date.
Funding is also available under the PESCA Community Initiative to assist fishing communities to diversify and to support alternative economic activity including aquaculture, marine tourism and stock management. The amount of EU aid remaining to be allocated under the PESCA Community Initiative is approximately £2.7 million. There has been, therefore, a significant take up by the fishing sector of available EU and Exchequer funding to date. My objective is to ensure efficient and effective use of remaining funding up to 1999, to deliver on investment objectives for the sector.
