Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 9 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 2

Written Answers. - Inland Fisheries.

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

137 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the funding which has been made available to the fisheries board in the Cavan-Monaghan region towards the erection, maintenance of fishing stands or funding for the preparation of safe access for fishing in each of the past three years; the number of people employed for this purpose in 2000; the number employed in 2003; the amount of the ?18,000,000 funding promised which has actually been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22803/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

There are three regional fisheries boards involved in the development and management of inland fisheries in the Cavan/Monaghan region. These are the Northern, Shannon and Eastern Regional Fisheries Boards. I am advised by these boards that the total funding made available by them towards the erection and maintenance of fishing stands or the preparation of safe access for fishing in this region in the past three years amounts to €188,910.

I am advised by the Northern Regional Fisheries Board that seven staff were employed in Cavan-Monaghan for fisheries development and maintenance in 2000 and that six were employed in 2003 for these purposes. The Eastern Regional Fisheries Board advises me that five permanent staff and two temporary staff were employed in this work in both 2000 and 2003. I am advised by the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board that it operates a base in Lough Sheelin, County Cavan, from which four permanent staff operate on development and maintenance work in the region.

There is no knowledge of the €18 million referred to by the Deputy in his question.