Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 322: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of people offered a payment under a scheme (details supplied); and the amount being offered to them. [9568/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The Salmon Hardship Scheme adopted by Government, aimed to provide a measure of relief to individuals in line with the level of hardship likely to be experienced on foot of the cessation of mixed stock fishing for wild salmon. Of the 1,332 applicants who received letters of offer from Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the administrative agency for the scheme, I am advised that some 994 applicants (75%) made claims. Up to 74 cases are, I believe, with the Independent Appeals Officer, some of which may not have gotten offers in the first instance. As the scheme aimed to provide a measure of relief to individuals in line with their recent catch history, I understand claims varied from €1,140 to €190,000.

I am advised that a further 127 applicants availed of the package offered by the Loughs Agency within its jurisdiction, to which the Exchequer contributes 50% of the cost.

It is estimated that the final cost of payments to all cases will amount to some €24.3million. A report outlining the performance of the scheme will be published on my Department's website shortly.