Vol. 529 No. 1
183 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the situation in relation to PESCA funding; and the position of projects that have been approved in this regard, but which are not yet completed. [30493/00]
The PESCA Community initiative was designed to assist the fisheries sector to diversify from traditional fishing activities and support alternative activities most suited to fishermen, their families and fishing communities. In all, 195 projects were approved for funding under this initiative, with 81% of allocated funding paid out on claims to date. The deadline for commencement of the audit of the programme is the end of June 2001 and all payments under the PESCA initiative will be made in advance of this date.
Full payments on the majority of projects have already been completed. Final payments on approximately 30 projects are with BIM for processing and should be completed by 31 March 2001. Two projects are due for completion by 30 April 2001. The PESCA quality officers programme is due for completion by June 2001. Two projects involving the purchase of vessels are due for completion by the end of February 2001. In relation to both projects, all commitments made under their approvals will be met, subject to receipt of complete audited claims, by 31 March 2001.
At a recent conference in Inverness, Scotland, on the impact of the PESCA initiative, the European Commission acknowledged the success of the programme in Ireland.
