Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 579: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a temporary tie-up support scheme for fishermen in view of the crisis in the fishing sector; his objectives for the upcoming Ministerial Fisheries Council; the proposals he will try to progress at EU level to address the fisheries crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29065/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Since the escalation of this crisis Minister Killeen and I have taken every opportunity available to stress in the strongest possible terms to Commissioner Borg and the Commission, the depth of feeling of Irish Fishermen and the critical nature of the situation facing them.

We have continuously pressurised the Commissioner to bring forward a new EU-funded package of measures to alleviate the immediate difficulties facing the Irish fishing industry.

At the Fisheries Council on the 23rd June, with the support of my colleagues in the Council we continued the process. The response of the EU Fisheries Commissioner Borg was encouraging, and he has now come back with new proposals for discussion and, I hope, agreement at next week's Council meeting.

I am pleased to welcome the statement issued by Commissioner Borg on Tuesday and the adoption by the Commission of a proposal for the urgent restructuring measures to tackle the fuel crises. I acknowledge the Commissioner's pledge for up to €600 million to fund these measures and that in his statement he acknowledges the particular justification for additional funding for countries such as Ireland who have large fleets but small EFF funding allocations and the unprecedented scale of the restructuring effort required by the current crises.

I can assure the House that I will be seeking a fair share of these additional funds for Irish fishermen to allow us to implement the urgently needed measures set out in the Commission's proposals. At the Council meeting next Tuesday we will be seeking agreement on the package of measures proposed and also a solid commitment from the Commissioner that a fair share of the additional €600 million is allocated without delay to Ireland.

I will also continue my efforts with the Commission for further initiatives to strengthen the price fishermen receive for their catch and to reduce the cost of fishing in addition to bringing forward initiatives on research and innovation into ways to develop more fuel-efficient engines and fishing practices.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 580: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a compensation for crew scheme as recommended for any decommissioning programme under the Cawley Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29066/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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A scheme for the compensation of crew affected by the decommissioning of fishing vessels has not been put in place and the focus has been to provide training for crew who lose their jobs to support them to source alternative employment. Even if it was decided to implement such a scheme its practical implementation would be difficult because there are no official records for crewing of fishing vessels. The Cawley Strategy has recommended the introduction of a register of fishing crew and BIM is working with industry representatives in this regard.

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 crew members 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.

Funding will also be provided within BIM's overall programmes to support the sustainable development and improvement of the quality of life in fisheries areas as part of an overall strategy that will support the implementation of the objectives of the common fisheries policy, in particular taking account of its socio-economic effects.

The measures for sustainable development of fisheries areas shall seek to:

maintain the economic and social prosperity of these areas and add value to fisheries and aquaculture products;

maintain and develop jobs in fisheries areas through support for diversification or the economic and social restructuring of areas facing socio-economic difficulties as a result of changes in the fisheries sector;

promote the quality of the coastal environment;

promote national and transnational cooperation between fisheries areas.

It should also be noted that while the decommissioning scheme will remove some of the older and less economically viable vessels from the fleet right around the coast, the majority of the fleet will continue fishing and will continue to need crew. At present many skippers are experiencing great difficulty securing crew, as there is an overall shortage of crew for fishing vessels. In this situation there remains good opportunities for crew members whose current boats are leaving the fleet.

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 andthose of BIM to facilitate where possible career changes for fishermen on decommissioned vessels.