I thank the committee for its invitation to discuss these Estimates and compliment the Chair on the work carried out over the past year, particularly with regard to the scrutiny of EU proposals during our EU Presidency. With me are my Secretary General, Mr. Brendan Tuohy, Deputy Secretary General, Ms Sarah White, Ms Úna Nic Giolla Choille, Mr. Brendan Hogan and Mr. Jim Lynskey. Also with me are Dr. Cecil Beamish and Mr. Maurice Mullen. One or two others may join us shortly.
My Department's wide-ranging economic remit contributes to growth, competitiveness and balanced regional development. In a challenging public finance climate, my objective is to deploy the resources as much as possible to meet the economic and social objectives of Government. The Estimate before the committee for 2004 provides for a net expenditure of €257.582 million. This is a substantial provision which underpins critical priorities across the communications, energy, marine safety, seafood, marine research, natural resources and broadcasting sectors.
I will outline some of the details of this spending. Under subheads B1 and B2 we have maintained the level of funding for critical marine safety services at €30.877 million. This includes a provision of approximately €26 million for the Irish Coast Guard. This reflects my strong commitment to deliver on high standards of safety in search and rescue in line with our national and international obligations and the interests of public safety. I will bring forward proposals to Government shortly on the establishment of a coastguard agency which basically merges the maritime safety directorate of my Department and the coastguard into one agency which will be based in Drogheda, County Louth, and which will have a strong regional presence around the country.
Some €27.762 million is provided for seaports, harbours and tourism. We have had a high level review of ports and the outcome of that consultation process will inform the finalisation of a ports policy statement which I intend to bring to Government and publish in the near future. Work is continuing on progressing measures and procedures which will underpin the transfer of regional harbours to local authorities.
Subhead C2 allocates approximately €20 million for the fishery harbours capital programme. This is primarily earmarked for the completion of the new harbour development at Killybegs fishery harbour centre which I will open officially next Friday. The total cost of that project is €55 million. It is probably the largest infrastructure project in this area for many years. It provides a critical infrastructure for the North West and creates vibrant new business opportunities. The massive extension of the pier at Killybegs offers more possibilities than just fishing. We hope to work with the local community and build on the opportunities available.
The coming to fruition of the Killybegs project will allow us to proceed with further developments in Castletownbere, Rossaveal, which is jointly funded by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Clogherhead and Cromane in County Kerry. I have also approved funding for 17 projects in smaller harbours and landing places right around the coast to meet the need of local fishing and aquaculture interests and coastal communities. This investment reflects the Government's commitment and will underpin regional development and critical infrastructure to support economic growth, jobs and rural communities.
Funding of €23.515 million is allocated for marine research. Therefore, there is ongoing significant investment support to ensure robust marine research and innovation with strong links to industry which will deliver real economic returns. Our investment over the years has paid dividends in terms of Ireland's standing in the European Union on international marine research. The EurOCEAN conference last week was an excellent showcase for this country. The conference was hosted in Galway by the Marine Institute.
As members of the committee know, Ireland has two state of the art marine research vessels. We also have marine RTDI programmes, a new hub for marine research in the stunning new offices being built at a cost of approximately €30 million for the Marine Institute at Oranmore. There is ongoing collaboration between the institute and the geological survey office, which is also under my Department's remit, on delivering the national sea bed survey. Approximately €25 million is being spent on this survey. The Marine Institute's current review, in consultation with stakeholders, will chart the strategic direction for the national marine RTDI effort to 2010.
Some €37.468 million is being provided to the seafood sector for seafood development in 2004, in addition to the investment in fishery harbour infrastructure. This is a huge investment of taxpayers' money in these areas. Coastal fishing communities will benefit from investment in the continued modernisation and safety improvements of the whitefish fleet, the revitalisation of the inshore fishing fleet, the enhancement of seafood marketing and promotion initiatives, the accelerated development of seafood processing enterprises and the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry.
In respect of inland fisheries, €23.018 million is being provided for in the area of the operations of the central and regional fisheries boards. Consultants are currently finalising the fundamental review of the role of the State with respect to the inland fisheries resources and the adequacy of the current model of governance and management structures. The review is being conducted in two stages. I expect to receive the report on the first stage shortly. Over €2 million represents the Department's funding contribution towards the costs of the Loughs Agency, the North-South body responsible for fisheries conservation and management in Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough.
In the area of energy over €13 million is being expended to underpin energy conservation and to promote the uptake of alternative energy sources. This is delivered through Sustainable Energy Ireland, SEI, which is being provided with €13.7 million in 2004, €7.22 million for the energy conservation part of the NDP and €0.78 million under the NDP alternative energy measure, which was established in 2002 to promote the development of a sustainable national energy economy.
Within energy policy, the priorities range from generation adequacy, structure of the electricity market, renewables and security of supply. The promotion of renewable energy is a key Government priority. A number of actions have been taken to drive the renewable agenda forward. The requisite financial and regulatory support is being provided, such as measures to support the commercialisation of renewable technologies. A debate was initiated on the directions and targets for renewable energy policy post 2005. The Government is proceeding with the work of setting appropriate renewable energy targets for 2010, including being assisted by the renewables development group which is advising on the complex issues faced by the sector.
Some €33.77 million is allocated in the area of communications. The Government is continuing the programme of unprecedented State investment in high-speed telecommunications infrastructure building on the MANS and ADSL projects delivered to date. I have Government approval for the roll-out of significant further investment which will extend broadband connectivity to over 90 additional towns. Funding assistance for group broadband schemes will be provided. They will be key to enabling smaller communities to pool demand and get high speed connectivity from a range of service providers. I have also concluded an agreement with industry to bring high speed broadband to every school in the country by the start of the 2005 school year. Some 80% of the funding will be provided by the industry and a very small proportion by the State.
In the area of broadcasting, €218.833 million is being allocated for various issues of licence fee collection. The Comptroller and Auditor General has published his value for money examination of the television licence fee collection and it will be discussed by the PAC tomorrow. I am examining the issue of the future of the licence fee collection.
Provision is made for over €6 million to reflect the new additional functions of the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, including the administration of the new public sector broadcasting fund. Five per cent of net proceeds of the licence fee goes into this fund. Legislation was passed in this respect. The fund should increase to approximately €8.8 million this year. It is a new and critical opportunity to enhance and expand the quantity and quality of public service broadcasting.
I have provided the committee with an overview of the issues of which Deputies should be aware. I hope to be able to answer all questions in this debate. I thank my departmental officials for producing the documents which are available to the committee members for their consideration.