Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
844. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered the Report of the High Level Group on the jobs initiative for the Killybegs region; his plans he has to create jobs in the alternative industries identified in the report to lessen the economic dependence of the region on the highly seasonal seafood sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47597/12]
View answer867. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the Report of the High Level Group on the Jobs Initiative for the Killybegs region presented to him in October of 2011; the number of jobs that have been created in the Killybegs region as a result of the initiative; the total amount of moneys invested in the region by Government agencies through grant aid or otherwise as a result of the recommendation of the report for the purpose of job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47605/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 844 and 867 together.
I am fully aware of the Report of the High Level Group which I established and I am anxious to see the potential for job creation in the Killybegs region identified in the Report materialise and I want to see the greatest possible number of the actions identified in the five Key Areas deliver on that potential. The overall aim of the initiative is to create 250 jobs in the Killybegs area by 2014. The five key areas identified for detailed consideration by the Group were:
- Promote Seafood Value Added Activity
- Enhance Ancillary Supports
- Develop Offshore Supports
- Promote Tourism and Marine Leisure and
- Promote Green Economy/Renewable Energy.
Since the outset it has been accepted that any progress is dependant upon an integrated collaborative approach between private and public sectors. Investments from both sides should deliver real jobs for Killybegs between now and 2014.
At this point I can only report in detail on progress in the seafood sector, for which I have direct responsibility. I have recently consulted with BIM on this matter and have been advised that significant additional landings of Norwegian Blue Whiting were attracted to Killybegs this year and were processed in local pelagic processing plants. This was made possible because of the landing facilities provided at Killybegs and the work done by the local processing industry, with BIM, to pioneer the processing of Blue Whiting for human consumption. Annual landings of Blue Whiting in Killybegs are currently estimated at approx. 80,000 tonnes per annum with an estimated value of approx. €41 M. I am confident that increased quotas for this species can be secured for 2013.
BIM has, in recent years, grant-aided equipment to facilitate the processing of this additional blue whiting. The position is that in 2011, seven Killybegs processing companies invested €4.9m in their operations. Of this amount, approved grant aid amounted to almost €1.2m. This year so far, six Killybegs processing companies have invested a total of €8.5m. Of this amount, approved grant aid amounted to just over €1.5m. It is expected that this investment combined with the increase in throughput will directly result in 47 new jobs by the end of this year and will be of continuing benefit to Killybegs in future years. BIM is actively working with industry and processing equipment companies to develop new product formats which will increase the added value processing of this key stock. I am anticipating that these new product trials will be significantly advanced during 2013.
In addition to the welcome progress on the Blue Whiting fishery, work is ongoing on developing human consumption markets for the large quota of 58,866 tonnes of Boarfish which we have secured in recent years. This fishery holds very significant promise for the processing industry in Killybegs. During my trade mission to China earlier this year, trial shipments of this product were agreed between Irish processors and Chinese importers. I am pleased to report that, as a result of these trial shipments, repeat orders have been secured by Irish companies from the Chinese market. BIM, Bord Bia and the industry are this week developing further contacts in the Chinese markets at a trade fair in Dalian in China. I understand from BIM that they expect 1400 tonnes of Boarfish to be processed for human consumption during 2012. These orders will be delivered to both the Chinese and the African markets.
I am also aware that the group met earlier this week to further review progress across a range of other areas outside of the Seafood area, for which I have direct responsibility. I am awaiting an update from that meeting on how matters are progressing in relation to these other key areas.
