asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the total number of staff employed by BIM in a full-time capacity in the two Dublin premises used by the board; if all the space available in the new offices in Dún Laoghaire will be fully occupied by them; and if he has received assurances from BIM in the event of the staff represented by their union refusing to transfer to the new offices he will accept the rights of the staff and the union to insist on remaining in the present premises.
Written Answers. - Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
458.
The total number of full-time staff employed by BIM and based in its two Dublin premises is 104. I understand that BIM will occupy four of the six floors in the new Dún Laoghaire office block, and lease the remaining two floors. The question of the transfer of the staff is a matter for the board of BIM.
459.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry (a) the number of orders from fishermen received for boats up to 50 ft. and the number approved; (b) the number of orders from fishermen for boats in excess of 50ft., that have been received by BIM and the number approved; the value of orders indicated in (a) above; the value of orders indicated in (b) above; and the total amount of state funds available in 1984, 1985 and 1986 for the financing of such boat-building.
I am informed by BIM that applications for loan and grant facilities have been received by the board this year for a total of 36 vessels under 50 feet and a total of six vessels over 50 feet, the estimated aggregate values of which are £3.18 million and £6.86 million, respectively. Five applications in respect of vessels under 50 feet valued at £112,000 approximately have been approved this year. The total amount provided from the Exchequer for the financing of new vessel construction this year is £2.1 million approximately but the bulk of this sum will be required for the completion of vessels which were approved in earlier years. The funds available for this purpose in 1985 and 1986 will not be known until the estimates for those years are settled.
460.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry arising out of his reply to Parliamentary Question 528 of 30 May 1984 if the present headquarters of BIM will be vacated when the new headquarters in Dún Laoghaire is ready for occupation; and if BIM will then be in a position to vacate the present building and have the lease transferred to a new tenant.
I understand from BIM that the present headquarters of the board will be vacated and the lease offered for sale with vacant possession when the Dún Laoghaire premises are ready for occupation.
461.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry arising out of his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 529 of 30 May 1984 if he is aware of the fact that 392 fishermen now in arrears are also in serious arrears in their boat accounts with the banks; if he will take this factor into account in reviewing the whole position; and when he hopes to be able to announce the results of his review.
I am aware that the figure of 392 includes 25 cases where the loan finance was obtained from a bank under a BIM guarantee and this will, of course, be taken into account in the review which I hope to have completed in the near future.