Training Programmes.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2009

Wednesday, 13 May 2009

Ceisteanna (193)

Seán Connick

Ceist:

242 Deputy Seán Connick asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of money that has been allocated under the decommissioning scheme to retrain fishermen who have lost their jobs as a result of the decommissioning of fishing vessels; the structures that have been put in place to deliver this retraining; the person former fishermen in County Wexford should contact to apply for this retraining; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19191/09]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)

All fishing vessel crew members are eligible to apply for BIM's training programmes, including those serving on vessels that have been decommissioned. Some fishermen from decommissioned vessels are presently upgrading their qualifications with BIM and there are also opportunities to retrain for the aquaculture sector, for which many of the skills learned in the fishing industry are very relevant. FÁS provides training those fishing vessel crew members who wish to leave the fishing industry for a new career opportunity.