Vol. 557 No. 5
156 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a commitment to the nine people who are contract employees of the South-Western Fisheries Regional Board that their contracts will be renewed in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22789/02]
Under the Fisheries Acts, responsibility for the overall administration of human resources issues, including terms and conditions of employment of fisheries board contract staff, is a matter for the Central Fisheries Board and the relevant regional fisheries board. In this instance, it will be a matter for the South-Western Regional Fisheries Board to determine its staffing complement in 2003 in the context of available funding.
157 Mr. Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding funding of ?250,000 in 2003 to maintain a fisheries service to the South-Western Regional Fisheries Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22790/02]
The Abridged Estimates volume for 2003, published last week, includes provision in my Department's Vote for €16.321 million for current expenditure and €762,000 for capital expenditure for inland fisheries in 2003. The Estimate includes provision for all current and capital payments to the central and regional fisheries boards in 2003. I have asked the fisheries boards to prepare a profile of expenditure which will ensure adherence to the 2003 allocation. The specific allocation of funding to the South-Western Regional Fisheries Board will be determined in the context of this profile.
