Departmental Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 June 2016

Wednesday, 22 June 2016

Questions (258, 259)

Mick Wallace

Question:

258. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for details of the granting of seafood processing capital investment scheme funding to a company (details supplied), announced earlier this month; if this State funding will be directed to Monaghan specifically, as indicated by him in his press release; for details of where and to what specific projects or operations this funding will be directed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17351/16]

Mick Wallace

Question:

259. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for details of the recent allocation of seafood processing capital investment scheme funding to a company (details supplied); if the funding, which is indicated as intended for a project based in Monaghan, will be directed there; if all the necessary planning permissions have been sought and granted for the project in receipt of this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17352/16]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 259 together.

On 27 May 2016, I announced the award of €4.3 million in grants to 51 seafood enterprises under 5 Schemes launched earlier this year under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme for the seafood sector.  The grants are which are co-funded by the Exchequer and EMFF are administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara and are subject to the terms and conditions.

My announcement included two grant offers made to Biomarine Ingredients Irelands Ltd. A grant offer of €300,000 was made under the EMFF Seafood Processing Capital Investment Scheme towards €3,857,000 in total eligible capital investment by the company in 2016. I understand that this project involves the equipping of an existing food production premises in Monaghan with advanced seafood processing production lines. I also understand that the premises has the required planning consents for this purpose. In any event, the terms and conditions of the Scheme require that all necessary consents are in place before payment will be made.

The second grant offer of €40,000 was made under the EMFF Seafood Innovation & Business Planning Scheme towards €80,000 in total eligible investment in 2016 by a collective applicant, including Biomarine Ingredients Irelands Ltd. I understand that this project involves new product development.