Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 503: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm that grants available through the community salmon hardship fund aimed at encouraging salmon fishermen to diversify into other businesses, precludes grant aid for fishing vessels and funding for any aspect of a fishing operation that will increase fishing effort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35536/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Community Support Scheme, amounting to €5 million, has been made available to those affected by the cessation of the mixed stock salmon fishery through the implementing bodies viz. 15 LEADER companies and Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, in respect of island communities and Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teoranta, in respect of the Gaeltacht areas. The scheme is primarily targeted at those communities where commercial salmon fishing has been a well-established activity and where its withdrawal demonstrably impacts on the economic and social fabric of the area. Initiatives which may be considered for funding include retraining of the labour force previously employed in the mixed stock fishery, diversification into non-salmon fishing activity and projects to promote the quality of the local environment. As the focus of the scheme is on diversification from salmon fishery activity, grant aid is not provided for measures that will promote such activity. In addition, under current EU State Aid Guidelines, grant aid for the construction of fishing vessels and funding for any aspect of a fishing operation that will increase fishing effort are prohibited. Such proposals cannot therefore be considered for funding under the Community Support Scheme or any other Government funded scheme.