Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the time frame for funding Leader companies under his Department's new scheme; the criteria for drawing down funding; the way the scheme will benefit coastal community groups; the way this scheme will directly benefit fishermen who have signed up to the hardship scheme following the banning of drift net fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5463/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I published details of the Community Support Scheme on Friday 7 March 2008, details of which can be viewed on the Department's website at www.dcenr.gov.ie The Community Support Scheme, amounting to €5 million, will be made available to those affected by the cessation of the mixed stock salmon fishery in 16 fishery districts through 15 LEADER companies and Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, in respect of island communities and Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teoranta, in respect of the Gaeltacht areas.

This Scheme is not ordinarily directed at commercial salmon fishing licence holders, who have had the opportunity to avail of payments from the €25 million Salmon Hardship Scheme but rather at the development of additional economic opportunities for crews and employees in the processing and ancillary sectors in the communities where commercial salmon fishing has been a well-established activity and where its withdrawal demonstrably impacts on the economic and social fabric, for example Gaeltacht areas.

The scheme is to be administered by the LEADER companies under the supervision of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, in conjunction with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. Available funds will be allocated to those affected fishery districts, proportionately to the impact of the cessation of the mixed stock fishery. It will focus on retraining of the affected labour force, diversification into non-salmon fishing activity and projects to promote the quality of the local environment. The closing date for receipt of applications by the LEADER companies is 31 December 2008 and all projects must be complete by November 2009.