Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
1173. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline details on the 2013 Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme; if he will detail in tabular form, the amount of funding provided on a county-by-county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37381/13]
View answerThis is an exciting time for the seafood processing sector, with enormous potential for growth and expansion. Since 2011, seafood exports have grown by €138 million, an impressive increase of 36%. Bord Iascaigh Mhara has reported that during that period processing companies who have benefitted from Government grant-aid through the Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme have generated 251 new jobs in the sector and prospects are positive for jobs and growth into the future. This year, the sector continues to perform well, with exports up by almost 4% as of May and the home market continues to counter the recession, growing by approximately 2% retail sales to mid-year.
I am committed to supporting the seafood processing sector in any way I can to help it in achieving its significant potential. The sector is one of the star performers in our food industry and can make an important contribution to our economic recovery. Already this year, I have made available €2.4 million in grant aid to 25 seafood processing companies under the 2013 Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme. Taken in conjunction with private sector investment, the total investment will be over €8 million in 2013. The 25 companies that received grant offers were from seven coastal counties across the country, namely Kerry, Dublin, Cork, Galway, Wexford, Mayo and Donegal.
The Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme is implemented as part of my Department’s Seafood Development Programme 2007-2013 and is co-funded by the European Fisheries Fund. The Scheme aims to support seafood processing companies scale up, diversify, add value to raw material and innovate as they develop new markets, enhancing profitability and job creation prospects into the future. The Scheme provides grant aid of up to 30% for value adding projects.
The table sets out details of the grants approved in 2013.
2013 Grants Approved under the Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme
|
Company Name |
County |
Investment |
Grant |
|
€ |
€ |
||
|
Fastnet Mussels |
Cork |
518,050 |
155,415 |
|
Good Fish Processing (Carrigaline) Ltd. |
Cork |
284,000 |
85,200 |
|
Keohane Seafood Ltd |
Cork |
853,530 |
256,059 |
|
Normandy Ireland Ltd. |
Cork |
102,847 |
30,854 |
|
Shellfish De La Mer |
Cork |
550,747 |
165,224 |
|
CSI Seafood Products Ltd. |
Cork |
270,000 |
81,000 |
|
William Carr & Sons Ltd |
Cork |
268,895 |
80,669 |
|
Total Cork |
2,848,069 |
576,698 |
|
|
Charlie Vial (Fish Merchant) Ltd |
Donegal |
84,658 |
25,397 |
|
Sean Ward Fish Exports Ltd. |
Donegal |
974,875 |
292,462 |
|
Proseail An Clochan Liath Teo. |
Donegal |
91,007 |
27,302 |
|
Earagail Eisc Teo |
Donegal |
935,000 |
280,500 |
|
Premier Fish Ltd. |
Donegal |
160,000 |
32,000 |
|
Island Seafoods Ltd. |
Donegal |
119,000 |
35,700 |
|
Arctic Fish Ltd |
Donegal |
140,000 |
42,000 |
|
Total Donegal |
2,504,540 |
572,962 |
|
|
Kish Fish Ltd. |
Dublin |
181,537 |
54,461 |
|
Dunns Seafare Ltd |
Dublin |
353,000 |
105,900 |
|
Rockabill Shellfish Ltd |
Dublin |
197,719 |
59,316 |
|
Total Dublin |
732,256 |
105,900 |
|
|
Breizon Ltd |
Galway |
89,900 |
26,970 |
|
Oilean Mara Teo |
Galway |
378,561 |
113,568 |
|
Cill Chiarian Eisc Teo |
Galway |
20,000 |
6,000 |
|
Total Galway |
488,461 |
113,568 |
|
|
Star Seafoods Ltd. |
Kerry |
519,745 |
155,923 |
|
Total Kerry |
519,745 |
155,923 |
|
|
Connemara Seafoods Frozen Ltd |
Mayo |
134,640 |
40,392 |
|
Total Mayo |
134,640 |
40,392 |
|
|
Atlantis Seafoods Wexford Ltd. |
Wexford |
107,522 |
32,257 |
|
Kilmore Fish Co. Ltd |
Wexford |
349,300 |
104,790 |
|
Sofrimar Ltd |
Wexford |
327,961 |
98,388 |
|
Total Wexford |
784,783 |
104,790 |
|
|
TOTAL |
8,012,495 |
2,387,748 |
