Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
532. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which jobs continue to be created in the fishing industry with particular reference to the processing sector and added value of various fish and fish products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6868/14]
View answerI am advised by Bord Iascaigh Mhara that there are approximately 11,000 people employed in the seafood industry, of which almost 5,000 are employed in the catching sector and close to 3,000 in the processing sector. Employment growth in recent years has occurred mostly in the processing sector. Over the past three years, the seafood processing sector has performed strongly in creating jobs and generating exports. There has been good investment by the sector in developing facilities, growing sales and increasing the value added of seafood output. This effort has been supported under the Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme for an approved investment programme of €35 million in that period. There were 354 jobs created in seafood processing associated with the ongoing investment in the sector. This investment is yielding dividends with Irish seafood exports growing by 20% in 2012, building on the 14% growth achieved in 2011. Last year was more challenging with estimates indicating a 5% fall in seafood revenues to €500 million.
