asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will consider requesting the Irish Sea Fisheries Association to facilitate the purchase of fishing boats by reducing considerably the deposit to be paid by successful applicants in view of the fact that the cost of such boats is cleared off within a comparatively short time.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Fishing Boats.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that Six County fishermen receive a 25 per cent. free grant towards the purchase of fishing boats; and, if so, whether he will consider devising a scheme whereby a similar grant could be made to fishermen in this country for the purchase of such boats.
With your permission, a Chinn Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 47 together.
I am not aware that grants are available for Six County fishermen generally for the purchase of fishing boats, but grants are, I understand, provided in certain cases for ex-servicemen. At present the rules of the Sea Fisheries Association permit acceptance by the directors of a minimum deposit of 10 per cent. in respect of a hire purchase transaction, where the circumstances of a particular applicant are such as to warrant this course. The directors deal with each case on its merits as sympathetically as possible and I consider that the existing arrangements afford very reasonable facilities for the acquisition of boats by fishermen.