asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the number of fishermen who were in arrears with their accounts in each of the last five years; the total amount of arrears in each case; and the number that got two years moratorium from the board.
Written Answers. - Fishermen's Accounts Arrears.
396.
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
|
1979 |
1980 |
1981 |
1982 |
1983 |
|
|
Accounts in arrears |
264 |
307 |
323 |
395 |
402 |
|
Amount of arrears |
£1.4m |
£1.2m |
£1.0m |
£3.3m |
N. A.* |
|
Number who got 2 year Moratorium |
— |
— |
200 |
— |
— |
*Audited accounts are not yet available in respect of 1983.
397.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he asked the Sectoral Committee to examine the cause for arrears in the accounts of fishermen; if the Committee has given any specific recommendation in helping the fishermen; and if the recommendations of the committee will be published.
The Sectoral Consultative Committee for the Fishing Industry was established by the Sectoral Development Committee to identify the problems which are hindering the development of the fishing industry and to propose actions which can be taken by the Government, its agencies and the fishing industry itself to overcome these problems. The consultative committee, having examined the industry under wide ranging terms of references, is currently drafting its report to the development committee and it is not possible at this stage to state what decisions will be taken as regards publication of recommendations. The committee was not specifically asked to look at the question of arrears.