Pádraic McCormack
Question:113 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he is making grant aid available to the fisheries boards to enable them to proceed with their proposed development work. [4459/01]
Written Answers. - Fisheries Boards.
Pádraic McCormack
Question:117 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his plans for the appointment of environmental officers for Lough Corrib, Lough Mask and Lough Conn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4490/01]
Michael Ring
Question:125 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will appoint additional environmental officers for Lough Corrib, Lough Mask and Lough Carra. [4819/01]
Michael Ring
Question:126 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will provide additional funds to the Western Regional Fisheries Board based at Cushlough, Ballinrobe, County Mayo to enable it to employ people to carry out its development work. [4820/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 117, 125 and 126 together.
The engagement of personnel is a matter for the fisheries boards, having regard to public ser vice employment policy and priorities. The nature of staff employed depends on the overall priorities within each board.
Last December I appointed consultants to undertake a review of the human resources strategies and requirements of all fisheries boards. The review will provide an opportunity for each board to consider its human resource strategies within the context of its overall service delivery remit and priorities. I have asked the consultants to bring forward their report to me at the earliest possible date.
The House might also wish to note that last year I provided substantial additional funding to all fisheries boards to undertake development work and in the case of the western board I provided £578,000 to assist it in meeting its priorities.
Under the National Development Plan 2000-06 a total of £24 million has been made available for recreational and tourism angling in the regions, of which £17 million has been allocated to the Border, midlands and western region. I will launch the measure shortly and it will be open to each board to bring forward suitable projects for funding under this measure.