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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Dec 1985

Vol. 362 No. 13

Written Answers. - Fishery Aid Package Scheme.

25.

asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry (a) the number of fishermen who have qualified for the aid packages scheme; (b) the reasons non-Bord Iascaigh Mhara boats do not qualify; (c) the advantages to the State and to the fishermen by repossessing boats; and (d) the advantages of the scheme per £1,000 borrowed.

Two hundred fishermen have qualified for the special aid package. Since the purpose of those provisions of the aid package relating to the restructuring of loans, capitalisation of arrears and increased interest subsidy was to assist fishermen in difficulties under the BIM marine credit plan, fishermen who had no loan accounts with BIM or BIM loan guarantees do not qualify for benefits. However, all fishermen benefit from other elements of the aid package such as the removal of excise duty on fuel oil and the allocation of funds for the markets developments, exploratory fishing and harbour improvement works.

Fishing vessels repossessed by BIM are returned to fishing activities under new ownership. This gives an opportunity for these vessels to make an improved contribution to the fishing industry and to increased landings. In addition young fishermen are afforded the opportunity of acquiring such boats.

It is not possible to quantify the benefits of the scheme on the lines requested at (d) since each case differs depending on the amount of the loan outstanding, the rate of the interest at which it was borrowed, the period of the loan still to run and whether the loan was from a bank or from BIM.

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