Cecilia Keaveney
Question:438 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if there is a reserved list for the new whitefish fleet scheme recently announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13705/02]
Written Answers. - Fishing Industry Development.
Dermot Ahern
Question:439 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans there are to expand the new phase of the whitefish fleet development programme recently announced, in view of the substantial interest in the scheme and the willingness of fishermen to invest in their own future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13706/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.
I am pleased to inform the House that support was recently announced for 38 new vessels under the fishing fleet development measure of the NDP, which is administered under delegated authority by an Board Iascaigh Mhara, BIM. The new vessel initiative involved a total investment of €56 million, including €15.7 million in grant aid. This is the largest single investment in the fishing sector since the foundation of the State.
Seventy four applications were initially received under the new vessel scheme of which eight were subsequently withdrawn. All remaining 66 applications were rigorously assessed by BIM in accordance with published selection criteria. Thirty eight projects were approved by BIM for grant aid. BIM's approval of the 38 projects was in line with the available funding for new vessels as published in the financial programme for the measure. BIM did not, on this basis, compile a "reserve list" of projects. Accordingly, I do not have the scope to expand the new vessel scheme. However, other elements of the current programme provide our fishermen with significant opportunities to apply for support for investment projects. These elements include support for the modernisation of existing vessels and for the purchase and installation of vital safety equipment. In addition, special assistance is available for young fishermen and women acquiring their first vessel.