Vol. 496 No. 1
52 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of people employed in the marine sector in County Donegal; the potential for increasing this as an overall percentage of employment in the county; the role of his Department in achieving an increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20821/98]
102 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the initiatives, if any, he has taken to help promote job creation in the fishing industry within County Donegal; the plans, if any, he has for future initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20822/98]
I propose taking Questions Nos. 52 and 102 together.
As the Deputy will know, this is an issue that I have under active consideration at present. Two days ago, I hosted a major conference in Bunbeg on investment and employment in the county. At the conference, which was attended by some 226 delegates from the marine industries, I set a target of achieving 1,000 new jobs in marine and related industries. I know that if we mobilise all the marine sectors in the county we can deliver these jobs. Delivering on this initiative is crucial. Unemployment in Donegal is, at 20 per cent, the highest in Ireland and is double the national average.
The marine sector is, after agriculture, the county's biggest employer. But the full potential of Donegal's unparalleled marine resources has yet to be realised. I decided to hold the Donegal conference so as to kick-start a marine industries action programme.
Participants at Monday's conference outlined their views on opportunities and the initiatives needed to foster the contribution of the marine sector to employment and the economy in Donegal.
I have asked the conference organisers to prepare a report for me within the next few weeks on the various initiatives and opportunities identified. I intend to submit the report, through my representative on the task force, to the Donegal Employment Initiative, in order to assist the task force in identifying opportunities and emphasising the role of marine resources in local development.
In addition to this, I will consider the issues and initiatives raised with a view to seeing how my Department and the associated agencies can move this process forward to harness the county's indigenous resources to create long-term stable employment.
