Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 28 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 4

Written Answers. - Fishing Fleet Modernisation.

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

52 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the cost involved in the three year programme under the fishing fleet development measure; the equivalent this will draw down from European funds; the number of boats this will yield; and if he will make a statement on whether the opportunity could be lost if further delay is allowed. [10826/02]

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

The whitefish fleet development programme, under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 involves investment of €95 million supported by Exchequer grant aid of almost €7 million and EU grant aid of almost €20 million.

The core objectives of the programme are to enhance the safety, quality and competitiveness of the whitefish fleet and to improve working conditions and product handling and quality through the following schemes: the introduction of new vessels; the introduction of modern second-hand vessels; the modernisation of existing vessels; the purchase and installation of safety equipment and the special assistance for young fishermen and women acquiring their first vessel.

I have already announced the first round of approvals under the safety equipment scheme which involved an investment of €400,000 for the benefit of the skippers and crews of 36 vessels. Applications for grant aid for the introduction of new and modern second hand vessels are being processed. The timescale is in line with profiled expenditure under the NDP.

It is not possible to definitively quantify the final number of vessels which will benefit under the programme as this will depend on the level of applications over programme and the available funding.

I have arranged for a copy of the fleet development programme to be forwarded to the Deputy.