Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the funding given to each country from the hardship fund to compensate salmon fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18754/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The purpose of the Salmon Hardship Scheme is to address hardship difficulties experienced by those commercial salmon licence holders affected as a result of the Government's decision to align the wild salmon fishery with the scientific advice from 2007 onwards. The scheme is administered on behalf of my Department by Bord Iascaigh Mhara. The scheme in respect of the Foyle area is administered by the Loughs Agency. I am advised that some 994 applicants made claims through BIM. To date, offers totalling €22,707,948 have been accepted including some 120 offers which have been appealed to the Independent Appeals Officer for the Scheme. The Scheme administered by the Loughs Agency is co-funded on an equal basis by my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland at a cost of €3,608,124. A total of €3,006,873 has been paid out under this scheme to date. A breakdown of the funding, by county, will be made available to the Deputy as soon as it is prepared by the administering agencies.