Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 March 2013
177. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the initiatives his Department is taking to develop and expand the oyster and shellfish industries here, with particular emphasis on the potential to generate significant exports of value-added products, and also with regard to the income that this industry can provide to costal communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13291/13]
View answerThe seafood sector has very significant potential to grow revenues and employment in the coming years. I have on many previous occasions referred to my commitment to ensure that the maximum number of jobs are created and maintained in the seafood industry. Both Food Harvest 2020 and Action Plan for Jobs 2012 recognise that most of the potential for increased employment in the seafood industry is in the areas of processing and aquaculture. Food Harvest 2020 aims to increase employment in the seafood sector as a whole, from the present approximately 11,000 to 14,000 by 2020 and to increase turnover from €700 million to €1 billion. The two targets are part of the same ambition to grow the seafood industry and its contribution to our economy. The EU co-funded Seafood Development Programme 2007-2013 provides a wide range of supports for the development of the seafood industry. These measures are intended to assist the industry in achieving the potential identified in Food Harvest 2020.
An Bord Iascaigh Mhara will shortly be advertising a call for applications under the Commercial Aquaculture Development Scheme and the Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme. Grants of up to 40% will be available in 2013 under the aquaculture scheme to operators in either the shellfish or whitefish sectors of the aquaculture industry to develop and sustainably grow their operations. The scheme is subject to certain restrictions on operators located in Natura 2000 protected sites and operators in the salmon farming sector. I have made available some €2.5 million for this scheme in 2013. The processing sector has been recognised as a high growth area of the seafood industry. CSO figures show that seafood exports were valued at €495 million in 2012, an increase of 18% over 2011. Grants of up to 30% will be available in 2013 under the processing scheme to seafood processing companies seeking to modernise and grow their businesses through investments in value added production. This is a premium of 10% over that available under the scheme to primary processors and will target funds at those firms maximising the value of raw material, including wild and farmed shellfish. I have made available some €2.5 million for this scheme in 2013.
