Vol. 501 No. 3
130 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the further measures, if any, he proposes to introduce compensation due to bad weather for those fishermen who operate out of smaller boats (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6012/99]
I have previously outlined my concerns about 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 in recent weeks was to devise a structured response that will protect the livelihoods of such fishermen during periods when they are unable to fish and have very low incomes, given that EU state aid rules for the fishing industry rule out aid packages for income loss due to periods of bad weather.
Following my detailed discussions with the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, 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 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.
I have also established a working group, comprising fishing representatives, my Department and BIM, to review and advise on the extent of short-term weather related difficulties in the fishing industry.
