Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on providing training for redundant fishermen to re-train for the Merchant Navy; the steps he has taken to implement same; his views on meeting with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to put together a plan to provide incentives for fishermen to take up this re-training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25598/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Work is ongoing to facilitate the crew impacted by the decommissioning scheme who wish to re-train for the Merchant Navy. It should be noted that responsibility for setting the standards whereby fishermen can retrain for the Merchant Navy rests solely with the Marine Survey Office (MSO) of the Department of Transport (DoT).

BIM have been working closely with the MSO in this regard and most recently, have been asked to submit a proposal to them in relation to transfer and progression from fishing Certificates of Competency to merchant marine Certificates of Competency. This proposal is under active consideration at the moment. There are a number of technical issues to be resolved in this process and BIM continues to be engaged with the MSO in this regard and I am pushing for early delivery of these measures. I would also be supportive of incentives for such training to be made available and I have asked BIM to pursue options in this regard.

In addition, all fishermen are eligible to undertake BIM training programmes including those serving on vessels that are decommissioning. In this regard, BIM and FÁS have agreed to co-operate to provide training for fishing vessel crewmembers that find themselves without a job when their fishing vessel is decommissioned. Both agencies will work closely together to provide retraining, up-skilling or diversification opportunities in the seafood industry or elsewhere in the economy.

Diversification into other marine related areas such as aquaculture or seafood processing or training to become Department of Transport (DoT) certificated skippers, mates and engineers, or undertake Global Maritime Distress and Safety System radio and other skills training will be available to crew through BIM. For those who wish to retrain to enter the marine tourism sector or handle workboats authorised to carry passengers (e.g. on fish farms), BIM can provide training to enable them gain the DoT Passenger Boat Proficiency Certificate.

The training funding provided by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) is for the delivery of further education and statutory training courses to the seafood industry. Funds are not allocated to cover fees for courses in Higher Education or Third Level institutions. There are several grant schemes available in this regard via the Department of Education and Science and further information is available from that Department.

Notwithstanding, the career options made available to individual fishermen, it is ultimately a personal decision as to what route they wish to take in their future working lives. Every encouragement will be afforded to them from the appropriate resources of my Department and those of BIM to facilitate where possible career changes for fishermen on decommissioned vessels.