Vol. 500 No. 3
4 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress, if any, he has made to develop and consolidate the position of the aquaculture sector as a vital income and employment generating industry in peripheral areas along the seaboard through at least a £100 million investment programme in private and public projects between the years 2000 to 2006. [3737/99]
My overall policy objective is to encourage and support the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. The aquaculture sector is playing a valuable role in the provision of jobs and economic activity in coastal areas. There are more than 3,000 people employed in the sector and aquaculture production is worth £60 million per year. The industry accounts for 30 per cent of the volume of fish production and is an increasingly important supplier of raw material to the processing sector.
Under the Operational Programme for Fisheries £11 million is supporting investment in the aquaculture sector. Almost £10 million has already been committed to more than 80 finfish and shellfish farms and BIM and the industry is confident that all the available funding will be taken up by the industry in this programme.
As previously advised to the House, I have appointed consultants to carry out a strategic analysis of future directions and opportunities for the aquaculture industry. This economic analysis will be completed shortly and will provide additional back-up for the case for investment support for the sector post 2000. As we approach the next round of Structural Funds, I will push strongly for significant EU and national funding to underpin the continued expansion of aquaculture. Sustainable growth in this indigenous natural resource based sector will pay economic dividends in terms of job creation, productivity and exports.
Aquaculture is a sustainable native industry based in peripheral coastal regions. Perhaps the Minister could clarify his commitment to this industry for the six year period from 2000 to 2006. Will he commit at least £100 million to this valuable industry which is not constrained by quotas or dependent on EU price supports? Aquaculture business is operated in a free market where success or failure depends on making sound investment decisions. Is the Minister prepared to invest £100 million in this industry over a six year period, which is approximately £15 million per year? This industry employs 3,000 people, is worth £60 million and has great potential for expansion, but we are only tapping the surface. I hope the money will be provided for its development.
I thank the Deputy for his question and his confidence that this Government will be in power for the next six years, which I am sure will be the case.
We hope to implement part of it.
I am aware of the Deputy's strong interest in this sector. I was delighted to see him recently when I visited his constituency to lay a foundation stone for a new factory, which is almost completed. That is an indication of the confidence around the coast. I am sure the Deputy and Senator O'Donovan will be sharing votes at the next election.
The Deputy wants to know if I will give £100 million to this industry over the next six years. I assure him that any part of the industry which seeks funding for the next six years will be considered on the basis of its potential economic activity. As the Deputy said, we are only tapping the surface of its tremendous growth. I will visit all areas and encourage people to become involved in aquaculture.
I thank Deputy Finucane and Deputy Sheehan for their assistance in bringing important legislation to fruition before the end of the last session. This has helped considerably. I indicated then that I would try to issue 90 licences before the end of January and I am pleased I was able to do so. We are signing licences every day and I assure Deputy Sheehan I am totally committed to the aquaculture industry. Anyone who applies to my Department for funding will be favourably considered.
I thank the Minister for his commitment. Does he intend to improve the infrastructural facilities which are badly needed in this hugely expanding industry? The pier in Bantry Bay, which is the Mecca of aquaculture and mariculture development here, is unsatisfactory. What plans does the Minister have to provide proper landing facilities there? Bantry Bay is the biggest area of aquaculture production, yet it has the worst infrastructural facilities.
I was in Bantry recently where I met the people associated with the port. Anyone with any interest in or knowledge of fishing will know that infrastructure is important. The Minister, Deputy Woods, has a particular interest in this area and he has met people who are concerned about it. I will not give any commitments but I assure the Deputy we are aware of the deficiencies in infrastructure around the coast. We acknowledge that Bantry Bay is an area of tremendous growth potential and we will give it more favourable attention than we might give to other areas.
When we see how this sector has been developed in other jurisdictions, we realise its huge potential here, particularly along the western seaboard. The Minister referred to the legislation which was passed before the Christmas recess. How many applications had been received by the Department before the amendment was accepted? How many applications have been processed in the meantime and when does the Minister expect to have them all processed?
Before Christmas there were 600 applications in my Department awaiting issue. I issued 90 licences during the month of January and I have signed approximately 30 licences in February. By the end of this year I expect that we will have processed the 600 applications and licences will be issued or refused.
How much money remains for aquaculture projects in the current operational programme? How many applications are on hand for funding from the operational programme? What is the estimated value of the applications on hand?
I would only be guessing and if the Deputy is agreeable I will have accurate information conveyed to him. I know there is some money available but almost all the money is committed and some industries have benefited substantially and others will benefit in the future.
