Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:163 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the position in relation to the Donegal marine action plan, launched in March 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19903/01]
Written Answers. - Donegal Marine Action Plan.
I would like to assure the Deputy that measures by my Department building on the potential of Donegal's marine sector are ongoing, including the extension to the National Fisheries Training Centre at Greencastle has been completed at a cost of £974,000, including State investment. Funding was allocated for investment of over £5 million in harbour developments in County Donegal in 2000 and a further £6.6 million has been allocated this year. The development of new berthage facilities at Killybegs is progressing with investment estimated in the order of £35 million. Since March 1999, aquaculture licences have been granted for shellfish operations in north County Donegal, mostly in Lough Swilly, with the prospect of creating about 100 jobs over three to five years.
Aquaculture licences have also been granted for the expansion of salmon farming operations in Mulroy Bay at Glinsk and in Lough Swilly at Binnaweelmore and Callagh. During 2000, four fishing vessels from County Donegal participated in deepwater fishing trials receiving total current funding of £196,000 approximately and capital funding of £67,000 approximately. In 2001, further deep water trials involved six vessels from Donegal receiving current funding of £581,000 and capital of £195,000. Five other Donegal fishing vessels received capital funding of £50,000 approximately for gear associated with technical conservation work and other gear technology initiatives during 2000.
A further two vessels have, to date, received £24,000 approx. for similar projects in 2001. In addition, during 2000 and 2001, as a result of State funded fishing technology projects ancillary industries in County Donegal, including gear manufacturers, ships chandlers and marine electronics firms received approximately £900,000.
Vessel projects approved in 1999-2000 for Donegal were as follows:
|
Measure |
No. |
Investment£m. |
EU£m. |
BIM£m. |
|
New Vessels |
15 |
29.294 |
2.723 |
3.404 |
|
Safety |
105 |
1.164 |
0.502 |
0.056 |
|
Modernisation |
10 |
1.588 |
0.237 |
0.059 |
Further to the Marine Institute report entitled, A Framework for the Development of Tourism and Leisure in the Marine and Inland Waterways of County Donegal, the Donegal County Development Board has recently set up a marine development leisure forum. A co-ordinator for this forum has also been employed for a three year period starting in January 2001. The co-ordinator, advised by the forum and operating under the auspices of Donegal County Development Board, will work to implement the measures recommended in the Marine Institute report and to ensure that the sector is developed to its greatest possible potential in County Donegal. This post is being jointly funded by the Northern Regional Fisheries Board, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Donegal County Council and the Marine Institute.