Cecilia Keaveney
Question:146 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his response to the Donegal task force report which was presented in June 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18911/99]
Written Answers - Donegal Task Force Report.
The Donegal employment initiative task force was established late last year in response to the job losses announced at Fruit of the Loom. As the Deputy will know, as a direct result of these job losses I arranged for a participative conference on the investment and employment opportunities in the marine sector in the county.
I set a target for the identification of 1,000 new jobs and I am pleased to say that on foot of the conference potential for the immediate creation of some 650 new jobs was identified, along with the creation of a further 1,000 jobs in the longer term.
The summary and recommendations resulting from the conference were forwarded to the task force and I am pleased to say, formed the basis of the marine section of the task force's report.
I have taken a number of steps to build on the potential of Donegal's marine sector including: investment of £4 million in harbour developments in 1999; approval and commencement of a new £20 million landing facility at Killybegs; provision of funding under the interreg programme for an extension of the national fisheries training centre at Greencastle; commencement of a cross-Border aquaculture development programme which will work with the sector to provide technical and managerial support; accelerated licensing procedures, an independent board for appeals; intensification of BIM's and the marine institutes programmes to develop new fisheries in deepwater species and inshore fisheries.
A total investment of some £84 million requiring State aid of £42 million has been recommended by the task force. This is in accord with the findings of the conference that I convened. This is a very significant level of State investment. However, the largest element of investment relates to the provision of improved landing infrastructure and as I have already stated a £20 million development programme for Killybegs has already been announced along with development and improvement works at a number of other harbours throughout the county. The Killybegs development will not only impact on the fisheries sectors but will also have consequential benefits for the off-shore industries.
Investment in fleet improvements, aquaculture and processing is ongoing, but I am conscious of the need for increased investment in these sectors. In the context of the national development plan and the next round of structural funds I am making every effort to maximise the funding for the marine sectors, not only in Donegal, but nationally.
I would like to make reference to an exciting and developing sector within the marine industries family – marine tourism. Tourism in the north-west is worth in excess of £200 million annually and represents an industry which can provide a significant economic and employment contribution to Donegal. As the county has a rich, diverse and unspoilt coastline along with many rivers and lakes, it is in a strong position to develop a vibrant marine tourism and leisure sector. In order to assist in developing the sector I have requested the Marine Institute to prepare an integrated water based tourism and leisure strategy for the county, including the off-shore islands. This strategy will help to enhance the tourism package offered in Donegal and lead to higher visitor numbers.
As part of my strategy for the marine tourism sector I have requested my Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute, to develop a major marine leisure investment programme and to this end a marine safety and tourism unit, headed by a principal officer, is being set up in my Department.
All in all, I think the marine section of the task force's report has accurately reflected the current situation and focused on what needs to be done to realise the potential of the marine sector in Donegal. As outlined, programmes and initiatives have already commenced to address the needs identified. This process will continue.