On 3 June 2011, I announced a pilot jobs initiative for Killybegs, following the launch of an economic report for the European Commission, which assessed the status, development and potential diversification of Killybegs as a fisheries dependent community. The aim of this initiative was to create 250 cross sectorial jobs in the Killybegs area by 2014. Seafood processing was just one of the areas identified as having the potential to create additional employment. To drive forward the initiative, I established a High Level Group on Job Creation in the Killybegs Region and requested that the Group identify the potential actions required to deliver job creation in the following five key areas, that is; promoting seafood value added activity; enhancing ancillary services; developing offshore supports; promoting tourism and marine leisure; and promoting the green economy and renewable energy.
The High Level Group comprised representatives of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation (who chaired the Group), Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Donegal County Council, Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Enterprise Ireland, local industry and from my Department. BIM provided secretariat services to assist the chair. The High Level Group finished its work in 2011 and had its last meeting in November 2012. Its Report is available on my Department’s website at:
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/publications/2011/KBHLGReport.pdf.
Since 2012, a local implementation group reporting to Donegal County Council has taken on responsibility for driving forward the initiative. Donegal County Council may assist the Deputies with any requests for information on the Local Implementation Group and its activities. My Department does not attend meetings of that Group. In relation to jobs created, I am informed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara that during the period 2010 to 2014, seafood processing companies in the Killybegs region invested €16.5 million with state supports of €3.56 million. During that time, the companies created 89 net new jobs and estimated additional revenue of €84.4 million. These companies are forecast to generate an additional 23 jobs by the end of 2017.
