Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 2

Written Answers. - Fishing Industry Development.

Austin Deasy

Question:

116 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 10 November 1998 and the continued severity of weather conditions through the latter months of 1998 and the early part of 1999 on the Irish coast, he will introduce an aid package to assist fishermen immediately in view of the fact many are encountering severe financial difficulty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1462/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I fully share the concerns of Deputies about fishermen whose fishing activities have been seriously hampered over recent weeks. I heard at first hand the real hardship which some fishermen were enduring during a two day series of meetings with fishermen's representatives from around the country. I was particularly concerned about those fishermen who operate out of smaller inshore boats, dependent on catches of whitefish for their regular income. These are the most vulnerable people in the fishing communities as they are most affected by weather conditions. My priority was to devise a structured response that will protect the livelihoods of fishermen during periods when they are unable to fish and have very low incomes. The Deputy will be aware that EU state aid rules for the fishing industry rule out aid packages for income loss due to periods of bad weather.

Subsequent to meeting fishermen's organisations I met my colleague, Deputy Dermot Ahern, Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs. Following detailed discussions with the Minister, the agreement of Government was secured to the introduction of a new scheme to be known as ‘fishing assist' which will benefit low income self-employed fishermen. The legislative basis for the scheme is provided for in the Social Welfare Bill, which was published last week.

The new scheme includes changes to the income support arrangements for fishermen as follows: 80 per cent of all income from self-employment will be assessed, rather than 100 per cent as has been the case heretofore; child related income disregards of £100 per annum for the first two qualified children and £200 per annum for the third and subsequent children, and relaxation of ‘signing on' arrangements.

It is expected that over 500 low income self-employed fishermen will benefit from the fishing assist measure which will cost up to £1 million in a full year.

This scheme provides a structured response to a long-term problem and tackles the situation of low income fishermen in the whitefish and inshore fleets who are particularly vulnerable to prolonged periods of bad weather which interfere with fishing activities.

The overall situation in relation to the ongoing impact of weather conditions on the fishing industry will remain under review at future meetings of the sea fisheries liaison group.