Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1268: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to increase grant funding to the aquaculture sector here to develop technological innovation and environmentally sustainable techniques, including organic farming, and diversification into new species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47732/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Grant funding for the Aquaculture Sector is provided for under the NDP 2007-2013 Operational Programme which is being finalised at present. In 2009 €5 million has been allocated under the Aquaculture Development Measure in the Operational Programme.

Since June 2007, total investment in Aquaculture amounted to some €20 million (of which €9.6m is grant aid) in 133 projects. Of these, five projects supported the commercial production of new species: two in perch, two in abalone and one in ornamental fish production. BIM has also assisted investment in salmonoid aquaculture under the Technical and Economic Support Programme for Salmon farming with the aim of improving the environmental impact and competitiveness of marine based salmonoid farms.