Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have a couple of questions, the first of which is on the seafood development programme. In the 2015 outturn document, it is stated that the programme created 145 jobs through the grant announcements. This is a bugbear of mine because there is no requirement for jobs to be created in order to get a grant under the programme. I fail to see why jobs are continually linked to these programmes. It is very frustrating for me and those I represent because our experience of the seafood development programme in Donegal is that it shrinks the number of jobs. This is because factories have used it to rationalise and modernise, which has actually reduced the amount of work available. From talking to BIM, I have learned there is no requirement to create jobs to get grant aid. There is simply a question in the application process that asks how many jobs might be generated. A number is filled in. When the announcement is made, it is stated that, for example, ten jobs will be created. Job creation should not be attached to the seafood development programme. Let it stand on its own. The idea that jobs are being created is wrong and should not be furthered. With regard to the schemes that have been introduced, we can get the information from BIM at a later stage to determine the exact position.

On the Natura bays, could the Minister give us an update on the appropriate assessments? How many bays have been dealt with in respect of the aquaculture applications?

In the 2015 outturn for jobs in the agri-sector, seafood and forestry, there was a decline of 1,000 jobs nationally in the sector as against 2014. Will the Minister comment on whether a trend is starting or what is the reason for the decline? There was a decline in 2015 in the number of jobs in the agrifood, forestry and seafood sector of 1,000 nationally. Can the Minister comment on that?