Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the increased funding for inland fisheries announced in budget 2008; the way he will ensure that value for money is achieved in this spend; the way this allocation will operate in the context of the restructuring of the fisheries boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35472/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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In the 2008 budget, funding of €51.737m has been allocated to Inland Fisheries. A total of €16 million of this relates to the Salmon Hardship Fund and the associated Community Support Scheme. The balance of €35.737m is provided to the Central and Regional Fisheries Boards and the Loughs Agency to cover their operational expenditure as follows:

Pay: €21.450 million

Non-Pay: €10.987 million

Capital: €3.3 million.

The agencies operate in accordance with agreed performance contracts and business plans, progress on which is monitored on a quarterly basis. This allocation is in place for the management of the inland fisheries sector and applies for the period 2008, whatever the management structures might be and would apply to any successor organisations in the event of restructuring.