Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Feb 1993

Vol. 426 No. 5

Written Answers. - Policy Changes.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

209 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for the Marine the policy changes, if any, which underpin the increases or decreases in the subheads in Votes controlled by his Department; and if he will make a statement on whether increased or reduced services will be provided by his Department in 1993.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Andrews)

The Deputy will note that the layout of the Marine Vote (No. 30) has been changed this year to provide for far greater clarity in relation to the activities of the Department of the Marine. The Vote has been organised into programmes, as follows:

—Administration

—Marine Safety and Shipping

—Harbour Development and Coast Protection

—Marine Research

—Sea Fisheries and Aquaculture Development

—Inland Fisheries

—Other Services.

I am glad to advise the Deputy that, notwithstanding the general budgetary situation, the major programme of improvement in marine safety and emergency infrastructure of the State which has been ongoing for the last number of years will continue in 1993.

This is reflected in the 9 per cent increase in provision for Marine Safety and Shipping Services and also in the salaries and wages figure of the Department's administrative budget where allowance is made for staffing a greatly up-graded rescue co-ordination and emergency response capability.

In relation to Harbour Development funded from the Vote, the 1993 allocation shows a 12 per cent increase which will facilitate further development. A major component of this programme is expenditure in Dún Laoghaire Harbour.

Marine Research — which I regard as a key element in the development of our marine resources — sees a very large increase of 69 per cent and this reflects implementation of the EC STRIDE (Science & Technology for Regional Innovation and Development in Europe) programme. This programme will bring about a major improvement in the State's marine research capacities.

The Sea Fisheries and Aquaculture Development programme represents support for the fishing industry including the development of infrastructure at the State's Fishery Harbour Centres. Taken as a whole, funding is increased by 8 per cent and this again represents the Government's commitment to the development of this sector of the economy. Within this programme, economies will be called for in the current operations of BIM, as well as curtailment of BIM loans to fishermen.

The Inland Fisheries programme remains at its 1992 level, whilst the Shipping Investment Grants programme is now wound down having represented a useful aid to that sector in recent years.