Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the operational programmes for fishing will commence in order to allow funding for the aquaculture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41142/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The delay in the launch of the National Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-2013 arose as a result of concerns raised, by both the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources on behalf of the Central Fisheries Board, during the public consultation process. The concerns related to the grant aiding of projects where environmental issues had been identified regarding compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives and sea lice control on salmon farms. Pending resolution of these issues, the National Seafood Development Operational Programme has not yet been adopted.

In an effort to ensure support and assistance for the continued development of aquaculture sector and the employment that aquaculture projects support, my officials entered into discussion with the European Commission who agreed to the continuation of grant aid under the previous Operational Programme 2000 -2006 until 30 June 2009. As a result of these discussions a provision of €5m was made available for aquaculture development in the Agriculture Vote for 2009 and I approved the spending of €4.5m of this for aquaculture projects in both the Border, Midlands and Western and the Southern and Eastern regions.

In order to ensure continued funding of the sector my Department is in close liaison with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the European Commission with a view to agreeing an approach that will give the necessary assurances on the concerns raised that can facilitate the approval of the National Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-2013.