Vol. 542 No. 1
22 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 172 of 20 March 2001, work on the investment schemes based on the findings and recommendations of the future directions of the Irish seafood processing industry has been completed; if so, if he will give details of the schemes; the amount of funding involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23460/01]
29 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when the proposed seafood processing programme in the productive sector operational programme under the national development plan will be published; the consultations which have been held with the seafood processing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23401/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 29 together.
The seafood processing programme under the national development plan provides £25 million to underpin total investment in the sector of some £70 million. This investment will support strategic development of the seafood processing sector to build a competitive, value added capability of scale to the highest quality and technological standards.
The seafood processing strategy is informed by the first comprehensive independent report into future directions for the sector, carried out by Indecon Economic Consultants and PricewaterhouseCoopers, in consultation with the industry, BIM, Enterprise Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta and my Department. The strategy also builds on the recommendations of the industry-led north-west pelagic group which reported to me earlier this year.
I have met with the representatives of the sector to discuss the overall investment support strategy and I will meet them again in advance of the launch of the programme. My Department is also in ongoing consultation with Enterprise Ireland, BIM and Údarás na Gaeltachta, which will directly administer the investment support schemes.
