Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 30 May 1996

Vol. 466 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Payments.

Robert Molloy

Ceist:

101 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for the Marine the reason for the delay in approving payment of EU grant aid to the Connemara and South Mayo Lobster Conservation and Development Fishermens Co-operative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11322/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

I recently approved grant aid towards the co-operative's lobster stock enhancement proposals, as part of a package of aid for 45 projects under the PESCA Community Initiative. This round of approvals involves over £1.7 million in EU aid and £230,000 in national grants, and supports a total investment of over £3.35 million.

The PESCA initiative is an EU-funded programme which aims to assist fishermen and those dependent on fisheries to respond to the structural changes in the fisheries sector by offering opportunities for diversification into other areas of economic activity. Aid is available for a range of measures, such as marine tourism, stock enhancenment and management programmes and so on. Over its duration, 1994-1999, about £5.5 million in EU funds and £1 million in national grants will be made available to support total investment of around £10 million, which will directly benefit coastal communities dependent on fisheries.