Vol. 550 No. 2
103 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if a figure of £24 million over the seven year period has been allocated to the angling sector under the National Development Plan 2000-2006; if this amount is made up of ?17 million for the Border, midlands, and western region and £7 million for the southern and eastern region; the breakdown by fishery region; if this funding is additional to current Exchequer spending. [8219/02]
Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006, a new investment programme for inland fisheries is being drawn up which will provide new funding opportunities for inland fisheries development projects. A total of £24 million in 1999 prices is available for recreational and tourism angling in the regions. Of this total, an amount of £17 million is allocated to the Border, midlands and western region and £7 million to the southern and eastern region. Expressed in euro and adjusted to current prices, the overall financial envelope is €38 million. When the elements of the angling measures of the regional operational programmes are in place, I intend that they will be widely publicised. The allocations under the regional operational programmes are not allocated to particular fisheries regions. However, the regional fisheries boards will be submitting projects for funding. This investment programme is additional to current Exchequer funding for the inland fisheries service.
104 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of British coarse anglers visiting here in each of the years from 1994 to 2001; and the projected increases from 2002 to 2005. [8220/02]
I am asking the Central Fisheries Board to communicate directly with the Deputy in relation to the information sought.
105 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the support available through his Department for the development of fishing and angling in inland rivers and lakes. [8221/02]
Under the aegis of my Department, the Central Fisheries Board and the seven regional fisheries boards have responsibility for the protection, management, conservation and development of the inland fisheries resource, including angling for salmon, trout and coarse fish. For 2002, Exchequer funding for the fisheries boards of €19.5 million is provided in the Vote of my Department. In the two regional operational programmes of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 a total of €38 million is allocated for the development of tourism and recreational angling.
