Following examination of the accounts of the fisheries development societies, I recently approved payment of almost £37,000 to six of the co-ops to match funds raised by them from share certificates in 1996. The corresponding claims of two of the co-ops are still being assessed and my Department is awaiting further information from the co-ops in this regard. I expect that the examination of the claims will be completed shortly.
The findings of the review group on the fisheries development societies, on which the Trout Anglers' Federation of Ireland was represented, are being considered in the context of the overall review of the inland fisheries services, which I announced in December last year and which is currently under way. This review, which encompasses the future roles and structures of the Central Fisheries Boards as well as the development societies will set the policy and strategy framework for the future of the inland fisheries services as well as the development societies. I intend to bring forward proposals to Government later in the year.