Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 1992

Vol. 415 No. 1

Written Answers. - Estimates for Public Services.

Colm M. Hilliard

Ceist:

119 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the reason for (1) the 140 per cent increase in expenditure under Vote 30, subhead C, and (2) the 105 per cent increase in expenditure under Vote 30, subhead V, in the Estimates for Public Services 1992.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Wilson)

Subhead C of my Department's Vote for 1992 which covers marine research and development contains a provision of £2,400,000 which represents an increase of 140 per cent over the corresponding provision for 1991. This increase is accounted for by our participation in the STRIDE (Science and Technology for Regional Innovation and Development in Europe) programme. The STRIDE Programme is a European Community structural initiative funded under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and will have the effect of greatly strengthening the marine research capability in the State both within my own Department and in the participating unversities. The additional moneys provided under the subhead represent the gross provision required in 1992 for my Department's element of the STRIDE programme of which 75 per cent will be recouped from the European Regional Development Fund.

Subhead V of my Department's Vote covers the Marine Emergency Service and the 1992 provision of £4,500,000 represents a 105 per cent increase on the 1991 provision of £2,200,000. As the Deputy may be aware, I have been committed to the restructuring and radical improvement of the marine search and rescue infrastructure of the State and a programme in this connection is now underway in earnest. The main reason for the increase in 1992 over 1991 is that 1992 will see the first full year cost of the long-range rescue helicopter service now operated for my Department, under contract from Shannon Airport. Additional costs arise from the implementation of the full programme for Slánú — the Irish Marine Emergency Services. Improving capabilities in this area will mean additional equipment costs, additional staff costs and additional training costs and these are similarly provided for in the 1992 Estimate.

The two programmes which I have outlined briefly are extremely important for my Department and from the national perspective and I have given them my full support as Minister for the Marine. They represent innovation and progress and I am sure the Deputy will support them.