Ivor Callely
Question:75 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the grants available for modernisation of fishing vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8022/98]
Written Answers. - Fishing Fleet Modernisation.
EU funding for the modernisation of fishing vessels is available under the Renewal and Modernisation Measure of the Operational Programme for Fisheries 1994-99. To date, EU funding support, approved for fishing vessel modernisation projects under the Operational Programme for Fisheries, totals some £5.5 million. The total EU funding remaining in the Measure is approximately £3.8 million.
In addition to continuing with the programme of modernisation of existing vessels, I have announced my plans for a capital grant aid scheme for investment in new boats for the whitefish fleet using available funding within the Operational Programme up to 1999. I have also secured, in this year's Finance Act, an exceptional package of tax incentives to attract investment into the fleet. This programme will be the subject of discussion in the coming weeks with the EU Commission. I believe that this package will help to ensure the safety, competitiveness, and long, term future of the fishing fleet and related employment.