Michael Bell
Question:34 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reasons the budget of Bord Iascaigh Mhara has been reduced by 34%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1152/02]
Written Answers. - Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
The Deputy will be aware that since the publication of the Abridged Book of Estimates, the Government provided an additional €7 million to BIM for 2002 in the December budget.
In the overall difficult fiscal climate, BIM has been allocated a total of just over €28 million to underpin strategic development of the seafood Industry in 2002. This compares with an allocation to BIM of €31.95 million in 2001. While this represents a decrease of 12% in the current year, I would remind the Deputy that over the lifetime of this Government the annual allocation funding for BIM has been increased from some €10 million in 1997 to over €28 million in 2002. Funding to BIM has almost tripled in that period, representing an annual average increase of 26%.
The 2002 provision will enable BIM to continue to take forward targeted development programmes for the seafood industry including NDP measures for fleet renewal, fisheries innovation, aquaculture, seafood processing, training and marketing. It will also ensure continued delivery on our objectives for sustainable development of inshore fisheries around the coast.