Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of holders of drift-net fishing licences in County Mayo who benefited from the scheme of compensation for drift-net fishing licence holders, who ceased availing of said licences in the years 2007 and to date in 2008; the amount of compensation paid under the scheme for compensation in respect of drift-net licence holders in 2007 and to date in 2008. [13731/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of holders of draft net-fishing licences in County Mayo who benefited from the scheme of compensation for draft-net fishing licence holders, who ceased availing of said licences in the years 2007 and to date in 2008; the amount of compensation paid under the scheme for compensation in respect of draft-net licence holders in 2007 and to date in 2008. [13732/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together.

The Salmon Hardship Scheme to which the Deputy refers was administered by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and the regional fisheries boards. The closing date for making claims under the scheme was 31 December 2007. In March 2008, BIM published a report on the performance of the scheme and a copy can be downloaded from BIM's and my Department's websites.

According to that report, the number of holders of drift and draft net fishing licences in County Mayo who benefited from the hardship scheme was 97. A breakdown between both categories is not available at this stage. A further four cases are currently under appeal.

No drift net licences, which indiscriminately exploit mixed salmon stocks, were made available in 2007 or will be available in 2008 in the three fishery districts of County Mayo. The number of draft net licences available for issue in the Bangor and Ballinakill fishery districts, as set down in the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order, SI No 129 of 2007, was 42 in 2007. I understand that 40 draft net licences were issued by the fisheries boards for the 2007 season in County Mayo. No licences were available in the Ballina fishery district in 2007 or will be in 2008. Those who took up the licences had not availed of the hardship scheme as claimants are required to give an undertaking not to apply for a licence in the future in accordance with the terms of the scheme. The closing date for applications for a similar number of draft net licences to fish the 2008 season is 18 April.

According to the BIM report, a total of €22,043,078 has been claimed under the scheme by former drift and draft net licence holders of which €10,505,387 was paid in 2007 and €8,814,332 is due to be paid in 2008. A breakdown for County Mayo will be made available to the Deputy as soon as possible.