Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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3. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role he envisages for Bord Iascaigh Mhara in developing a seafood innovation centre in Killybegs, County Donegal; the way he sees the Killybegs Campus of LYIT complementing that role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29487/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am committed to continuing the path set out in the report of the high-level group on the Killybegs jobs initiative, which reported in October 2011. The report identified the potential for establishing Killybegs as a centre for research and innovation.

Recommending an integrated approach, the report seeks to position Killybegs as the premier fisheries port of the north-west Atlantic. During 2012, Ireland secured a high share of boarfish quota, approximately 56,000 tonnes, and the development project linked to that has now become very much part of the broader development plan for seafood in Killybegs.

With regard to the development of a seafood innovation hub at Letterkenny Institute of Technology, LYIT, School of Tourism, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, and LYIT have been engaged in a range of activities incorporating knowledge and technology transfer between the seafood development centre and the Killybegs campus, including joint meetings and a visit by the LYIT management to Clonakilty to assist in the development of seafood innovation on the campus. As part of the BIM-Donegal Enterprise Board seafood business programme, a number of workshops with industry participants have been held successfully in LYIT.

Currently BIM and LYIT are engaged in a series of practical partnerships aimed at supporting and developing local seafood processing companies. The initiatives of this partnership include market research through the deployment of master's students, industry workshops and, in particular, new product development projects focused on the crab and pelagic sector. The LYIT Killybegs campus offers excellent culinary facilities and opportunities to develop and test new seafood products at the pre-commercialisation stage. A particular focus is on developing new opportunities for boarfish products.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

In 2012, the pelagic sector generated approximately €64 million in additional export revenues. As pelagic exports are located primarily around Killybegs, BIM actively supports the development of a seafood innovation centre at the LYIT School of Tourism in Killybegs. It is anticipated that this approach will support the shift from commodity to value-added pelagic, salmon and crab exports. I expect that the concerted and ongoing marketing of Killybegs as a premier port will position Killybegs as a port of choice for international fishing fleets, capable of facilitating port logistics, local expertise and services.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, on his appointment.

The Minister might not be aware that LYIT is in the process of preparing a three-year business plan to help it deal with its deficit. Active consideration is being given to relocating the Killybegs branch to the Letterkenny campus. That would have a detrimental effect on the seafood industry and would reduce the potential for developing links with BIM and the further development of the seafood business innovation centre on the Killybegs campus. It was for that reason that I raised the matter today. It is vital that a campus be maintained in Killybegs. The work of BIM, supported and encouraged by the Department, would ensure that the campus would continue to grow and develop. It is important that we send a signal to impress on the management of LYIT the need to develop and sustain the campus in Killybegs and to support the local seafood industry and its development. BIM has a representative on the board of governors and I urge the Minister to use his office to impress on them the importance of maintaining the facility in Killybegs.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I did not know that, and I am pleased the Deputy informed me of it. I will inquire about the matter. It does make sense to have a presence in Killybegs, as that is where the fish are landed. Killybegs is by far Ireland’s largest fishing port, certainly for the pelagic industry. I must be careful not to get into the decision-making process LYIT must make in terms of where it develops and spends money. That is not my role. My role is a supportive one - to try to bring the various stakeholders together to ensure that we maximise the potential of Killybegs as a port and the potential of the seafood industry both through Killybegs and through the broader infrastructure within Donegal. I will make inquiries into the concerns expressed by Deputy Pringle, but in the meantime we will continue to provide the supports to BIM and other stakeholders that have been given for the past two years. This has been a joint effort. Deputy Pringle might remember that I was somewhat frustrated at the initial cynical response to the jobs initiative. The cynicism is now gone and people realise that we are serious about it and we are investing in it. We will continue to do that. I will follow up on the specific concern raised by the Deputy.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for his response. I understand his difficulty in terms of the decision-making process but for the development of the region and of the seafood sector it is important that we have a third level campus in Killybegs that can be accessed by the industry and the community as a whole. The decision is due to be made in the next couple of days so I urge the Minister to make contact fairly quickly.