John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the number of fishermen who have currently been paid under the whitefish decommissioning scheme; the amount which has been paid out to date; the level of money which is left to be paid out; the number of people who are still owed payment; when said people can expect to receive their money; the way in which the money has been distributed by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19587/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the fishing vessel decommissioning scheme was launched on 5 October 2005 with a total budget of €45 million. The closing date for receipt of applications was 1 November 2005. Sixty-four applications were received on time by BIM, which is the implementing authority for the scheme. Letters of offer totalling €22,508,000 in grant aid issued to forty-four applicants under two rounds of approvals in November 2005 and February 2006. However, not all of the successful applicants have accepted the offer of grant aid.

To date, a total of €8,937,000 in grant aid has been paid in respect of twenty-four vessels. BIM advise me that funds are available to pay the balance of grant aid allocated to vessels, however, some applicants still have to provide the required documentation in respect of the offer of grant aid. In a small number of cases matters have arisen in relation to the information necessary to underpin the grant application. Discussions are ongoing with the owners concerned with a view to bringing matters to a conclusion as early as possible. A detailed breakdown of grant aid approved and paid to date by County, Owner and Vessel is provided below for the Deputy's information.