Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 471: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount paid out under the recent fishing boat decommissioning scheme with a breakdown on a county basis; the number of boats that were decommissioned under this scheme; if persons who availed of this scheme were prohibited from re-investing in new fishing boats; if provision was made in the scheme to assist in the re-training of those made redundant as a result of this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6135/09]

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

A total of 46 vessels have been approved for decommissioning under the recent fishing boat decommissioning scheme at a total cost of €36.6 million. Together these vessels represent a total capacity decommissioned of 6,913 Gross tonnes and 19,356 kilo watts. The number of decommissioning grants and the total grant aid per county is a matter for Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), which is responsible for administering the Decommissioning Scheme.

Persons who availed of this decommissioning scheme were not prohibited from re-investing in new or second-hand fishing boats. To attempt otherwise would not be practicable. However, for the person who decommissioned their vessel and capacity to re-invest would require that they purchase existing capacity on the fleet register equivalent to the size of the vessel they are introducing to the fleet. In this way the net reduction in fleet capacity aimed for through decommissioning is not affected by any individuals decision to re-invest

In relation to the re-training of those made redundant as a result of this scheme, it is worth noting that all fishing vessel crewmembers are eligible to apply for BIM's training programmes, including those serving on vessels that have been decommissioned. Some fishermen from decommissioned vessels have or are presently upgrading their qualifications with BIM and there are also opportunities to retrain for the aquaculture sector, for which many of the skills learned in the fishing industry are relevant. FÁS also provides training for fishing vessel crewmembers who wish to leave the fishing industry for a new career opportunity.