Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1263: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to complete the work of fleet restructuring, to create a world class fleet ideally suited to the stocks, species and sustainable practices of the modern fisheries sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47727/08]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1271: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to ensure that voluntary fishing vessel decommissioning on the scale envisaged in the Cawley report will be fully implemented and will be focussed on the larger whitefish vessels over 18 m giving greater priority to the allocation of fishing quotas to smaller vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47736/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1263 and 1271 together.

A voluntary fishing vessel decommissioning scheme focussed on the larger whitefish vessels over 18 metres was formally launched in February 2008. The scheme which is now closed has resulted in a total of some 6,900 GT being removed from the Irish sea-fishing boat register.

The decommissioning scheme was launched with the objective of more closely aligning the fishing capacity of the fleet with the available resources. This results in an increased quota being made available for the remainder of the fleet. Decommissioning grants totalled €21m in 2008 and a further €15.6m is committed in 2009.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1264: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to provide ongoing investment in fleet safety, diversification into inshore fishing activity and marine tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47728/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

BIM delivers grant aid schemes for fleet safety and diversification as well as support for the inshore sector. These schemes will continue to be available to fishermen.

BIM is responsible for the provision of seafood industry training in Ireland. Training is delivered at BIM's National Fisheries College (NFC), Greencastle, Co. Donegal, the Regional Fisheries Centre (RFC) Castletownbere, Co. Cork, through BIM's three mobile Coastal Training Units (CTUs), at Head Office and at other coastal locations. Safety training is provided on an ongoing basis around the coast.

Individual fishermen wishing to exit the industry will be helped to access education and training programmes to support diversification into other areas of activity through Leader type programmes.