Bernard J. Durkan
Question:167 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his proposals to enhance the prospects for fish producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9414/03]
Written Answers - Fishing Industry Development.
Under the national development plan, some €32 million in Exchequer funding was allocated for the seafood processing development measure. This funding was to support investment of some €87 million in the period 2000-06.
The measure is aimed at accelerated development of the seafood processing sector to create a competitive value-added capability of scale to the highest quality and technological standards. It is designed to assist in developing a growing and sustainable sector through encouraging competitiveness, by adding value and through promoting quality and optimum utilisation of raw material supplies and capacity. Government grants support capital investment for industry led initiatives in the areas of produce innovation, enhanced value added and increased production where feasible. The programme is soundly based on the independent study of the sector carried out by Indecon economic consultants and PricewaterhouseCoopers, in close consultation with the industry.
In 2002, a total of 21 processing companies were grant aided involving grant aid of €2.12 million. The projects were assessed by the Processing Investment Projects Approvals Board, which includes representatives from BIM, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Enterprise Ireland, the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly and the Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly. A total of €1.5 million has been allocated under this measure for 2003. Arrangements are in place to have the projects assessed by the PIPAB.