Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:181 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when the new scheme for the whitefish renewal will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3205/00]
Written Answers. - Whitefish Fleet.
Under the present programme for the renewal of the whitefish fleet, 30 new state of the art fishing vessels and 11 modern secondhand vessels are receiving grant aid support. Seven of the new vessels and nine modern secondhand vessels have already been delivered. Expenditure will be completed on the outstanding newbuilds and modernisations over the next 12 months. In addition, under the programme, 70 vessels received support for modernisation and 561 vessels received support for the provision of safety equipment on vessels.
The National Development Plan 2000-06 provides for investment support of £171 million to develop and underpin a sustainable competitive and quality driven seafood industry. Of this allocation, £45 million will be support invested in safety, quality and efficiency of the fishing fleet, maintaining capacity in balance with available resources, maximising the value generated by the catching sector and addressing challenges of diversification, innovation and development of the inshore fishing sector and coastal communities. The new programmes are being drawn up in consultation with BIM and the sector and will be the subject of detailed negotiations with the Commission over the next few months.