Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Development Plan.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

18 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress made to date regarding the implementation of the elements of the national development plan relating to marine and natural resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23330/01]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

Investment of almost IR£1.3 billion or 1.7 billion, has been provided for under the NDP 2000-2006 in respect of the marine and natural resources sectors. This investment is spread across 38 measures under the three sectoral or inter-regional operational programmes, the two regional programmes, the Common Agricultural Policy rural development plan and the cross-Border initiatives.

Over £338 million or 430 million is being invested in the seafood sector over the period of the plan. Coastal fishing communities will benefit from investment of almost £273 million or 347 million in the continued modernisation of the whitefish fleet, the revitalisation of the inshore fishing fleet, the enhancement of seafood marketing and promotion initiatives, the accelerated development of seafood processing enterprises and the development of the aquaculture industry. This investment will be complemented by a £66 million or 84 million investment in fishery harbour infrastructure under the regional programmes.

In the NDP over £720 million or 914 million has been provided for forestry, of which £540 million or 688 million is co-funded under the CAP rural development fund. A further £180 million or 228 million has been provided under the regional operational programmes and the productive sector programme to improve existing woodlands, develop urban and amenity woodlands, re-establish forest plantations and to generally enhance forest infrastructure.

Some £263 million or 336 million has been provided in the national development plan in respect of marine tourism, angling, marine RTDI, commercial ports and coast protection.

A total of 29 of the 38 measures for which the Department is responsible are now in operation and expenditure to date amounts to almost £160 million – 202 million. While this level of expenditure is behind the original NDP forecasts it, nevertheless, reflects significant progress when account is taken of the delays in finalising the operational programmes and programme complements, the impact of the foot and mouth disease outbreak and the delays in obtaining EU State Aid approval.