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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Jul 1998

Vol. 493 No. 4

Written Answers. - Fisheries Training Programmes.

Michael Finucane

Question:

41 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the timescale involved in the introduction of the quality improvement training programme for the dry hold herring fleet and herring processing sector; and if he will provide details of the financial support involved as promised following the publication of the herring task force report. [16238/98]

The introduction of targeted quality training programmes for the dry-hold herring fleet and herring processing sectors was one of a number of recommendations made by the task force on the managemement and marketing of herring, which I established in November 1997 with a wideranging mandate, and which reported to me in March this year. As I have previously advised the House I have secured Government approval in pnnciple to the taking forward of this and the other recommendations of the task force.

The quality training programmes for the dry-hold herring fleet and herring processing sector will be implemented by my Department and BIM. The objective is to improve standards and operational practices in the dry-hold herring fleet, where specific handling and discharging challenges exist, and in the herring processing sector with a view to maximising product quality and value. The fleet programme will provide for intensive quality haisling for the skippers and crews of eligible vessels and for the implementaffon of on-board quality systems and practices while the programme for the processing sector will provide intensive quality training for key plant personnel and for the implementaffon of an in-plant quality programme.
The programme for the dry-hold herring fleet provides for the payment of training grants to skippers/crews and to owners of eligible vessels in order to incentivise participation and to achieve real results. Crews will receive a flat-rate grant of £750 while the maximum grant applicable to vessel owners will be £7,500. A training grant of £10,000 will apply to plants participating in the quality training programme for the herring processing sector.
The task force recommended that the programme be introduced before the start of this year's autumn fishery. Given that the programme for the herring processing sector will complement that for the dry-hold herring fleet it was considered that both programmes should proceed in tandem. My Department and BIM are currently finalising the details of both programmes, including funding, with a view to their introduction before the autumn fishery.
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