Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 1610: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of vessels that have been decommissioned under the decommissioning programme from the date of introduction of decommissioning and from the date of the adoption of the Report of the Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group; the amount paid out from the date of introduction of decommissioning and from the date of the adoption of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30871/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Following the launch of the report "Decommissioning Requirements for Ireland's Demersal and Shellfish Fleets" a total of 36 vessels were decommissioned and permanently left the fleet. The total cost of the 2005/2006 scheme was €15,966,786.

From the date of the 2008 Scheme "Steering a new course — Strategy for a restructured, sustainable and profitable Irish seafood industry 2007-2013" 39 vessels have permanently left the fleet. A further 7 vessels have been offered a decommissioning grant but have not formally accepted that offer at this time. A total of €4,652,801 has been paid to date to successful applicants under the 2008 scheme.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 1611: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the terms of eligibility and conditions of the decommissioning programme for owners of fishing vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30872/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The terms and conditions of the 2008 decommissioning scheme launched on the 20th February this year are as outlined in the brochure published by BIM to accompany the launch. The closing date for the scheme has passed.

This brochure entitled "Building a Sustainable Future for Ireland's Fishing Fleet" — a scheme to permanently withdraw capacity from the whitefish sector of the Irish Fishing Fleet is available from BIM on their web site www.bim.ie.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 1612: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the implementation of the recommendations by the Report of the Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group to bring in a targeted decommissioning scheme for vessels less than 18 m in length; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30873/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Steering a New Course, the Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable and Profitable Irish Seafood Industry 2007-13 (The Cawley Report) recommended a restructured fishing fleet, consistent with the sustainable exploitation of available resources and economic requirements of vessel owners and the shore-based industries dependent on it.

The Cawley report prioritised in the first instance a decommissioning scheme targeting the larger vessels (18 metres and over) in the whitefish fleet to deliver a basis for both stock recovery and long term viability. This scheme was launched in February of this year and is nearing completion.

The report also noted that, taking account of the impact of the current decommissioning scheme, a specific economic or social impact analyses should be carried out in relation to vessels under 18 metres to determine the eligibility, urgency scope and cost of carrying out a targeted decommissioning scheme for such vessels. Such an analysis has yet to be carried out.