Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 3

Written Answers. - Central Fisheries Board.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

95 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the funding allocated annually to the title research unit of the Central Fisheries Board for each of the past five years; the funding to be allocated in 2000; and the plans, if any, he has to increase the funding allocation in view of the fact this unit provides a vital service to the State. [11647/00]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. Fahey)

Under the tourism angling measure, TAM, of the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99, a total of £873,600 was approved for the title research project by the TAM management committee.

A breakdown of the approved funding for the project over the past five years is set out in the following table.

Date	Amount IR£
25 April 1995	155,000
28 June 1995	300,693
14 February 1997	129,607
7 April 1997	208,300
16 March 1999	80,000
Total	873,600

The total expenditure to date is £856,588 and the balance of £17,012 must be claimed before 31 December 2000 in accordance with the rules for the tourism operational programme.

In addition to the funds available under TAM, the Central Fisheries Board informs me that the unit has generated additional funding by providing services to other parties.

Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, a figure of £24 million has been allocated to the angling sector. It is expected that the angling measure within the plan will be in place later this year at which point it will be open to the central board to apply for funding for services to be carried out by the unit.