Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the effect that budget 2012 will have on the potential of the Irish fishing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38958/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under Budget 2012 €10 million has been allocated for development of the seafood industry and €6 million for the Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme. This compares to €10.6 million for seafood development and €10.1 million for the Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme in 2011. In the present economic situation and in view of the cutbacks being experienced elsewhere, this must be considered a vote of confidence by Government in the potential of the seafood industry to contribute to economic growth and job creation.

Following an Interim Evaluation of the EU co-funded Seafood Development Operational Programme during 2011, my Department and BIM are reviewing the content of that Programme and the investment priorities identified within it, to prioritise investment in those areas that can best contribute to growth and jobs and the targets identified in Food Harvest 2020. The revised Programme will be subject to approval by a Monitoring Committee of stakeholders and by the European Commission. I am satisfied that the funding available in 2012 will be sufficient to support the continued development of the seafood sector.

The Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Capital Programme provides funding for works at the six State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres as well as other Local Authority owned harbours and landing places around the coast.

This programme enhances harbour infrastructure, provides much needed employment in coastal communities during the construction phase and establishes a platform to create and support sustained employment in the fishing, aquaculture and marine leisure sectors.