Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans on the future grant aiding for salmon aquaculture companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24938/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Plans for the future development of salmon aquaculture in Ireland are set out in the strategy document for fisheries called "Steering a New Course, A Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable, Profitable Irish Seafood Industry 2007-2013". In that document it is envisaged that the Irish marine finfish farming sector, including salmon farming, could sustainably be developed to an annual output level of 35,300 tonnes by 2015 or thereabouts, the rate of development being depending on a number of factors including the availability of investment capital.

Grant-aid for salmon aquaculture in Ireland is governed under the EU Regulation known as the European Fisheries Fund or EFF. This regulation is given national effect as part of the National Development Plan 2007-2013 under the aegis of the Non Co-Funded Operational Programme for Fisheries 2007-2013. This OP which has been the subject of an SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) is currently under consideration by my Department in regard to issues concerning environmental compliance in Natural areas and the control of sea lice in salmon farming.

It is proposed that grant-aiding salmon aquaculture in Ireland will be subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Non Co-Funded Operational Programme for Fisheries 2007-2013.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 455: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the applicants for FEOGA funding for fin fish aquaculture projects, including hatcheries, who were successful; the amount of grant aid awarded to each applicant in each year since Ireland joined the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24939/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Grants from the Guidance section of the FEOGA fund were available for Aquaculture Development in Ireland in the period from Ireland's accession to the EEC in 1973 until circa 1978. In 1978, an interim regulation was introduced providing for funding for aquaculture outside of the FEOGA fund. Due to the historical nature of the FEOGA scheme in so far as it relates to aquaculture and given staffing restrictions, it will take a period of weeks before the relevant information can be obtained from the archives. The data where available will be sent to the Deputy directly.