Enda Kenny
Ceist:185 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine the financial assistance and support which is available to fishermen who wish to purchase new fishing vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Assistance for Purchase of Fishing Vessels.
Fishermen proposing to purchase new fishing vessels can apply for both Community and State aid in respect of their projects. Community grant-aid is made available under Council Regulation (EEC) No. 4028/86, where the highest rates of aid apply to Irish applications. At present these grants range from 20 per cent to 35 per cent of the cost of construction, depending on the size of the vessel, with the possibility of a further 5 per cent added to approved applications from "young" skippers. The State, through an Bord Iascaigh Mhara, provides triggering grants of 5 per cent.
BIM also provides an advisory service for skippers who are considering the construction of new vessels and where an application for Community assistance is being made, BIM will assemble the required documentation and produce this to a standardised form on behalf of the applicant. Applications for grant aid are submitted to the European Commission through the Department of the Marine.
The provision of grant assistance, either from BIM or the European Community, for the purchase of new vessels, is, of course, subject to sufficient funds being available.