Austin Deasy
Ceist:408 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine the current position regarding an application for EU grant aid in respect of the purchase of a replacement boat for a person (details supplied) in County Waterford. [12955/97]
Written Answers. - EU Grants.
The policy in respect of the national fishing fleet has been to direct EU grants towards the modernisation of fishing vessels. EU funding under the operational programme has not to date been allocated to new vessel construction projects such as the application referred to by the Deputy.
In addition to the modernisation programme, following a review of the fleet policy and a recently published consultancy report, I have announced my intention to introduce a pilot scheme for grant aiding the introduction of a number of 24 metre plus all-weather whitefish vessels. The detailed criteria of the pilot scheme are being finalised and will require EU Commission approval.