Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if applications can be accepted under the salmon hardship scheme from fishermen who did not take up the offer at the time and who have now retired from fishing; if they can be accommodated for compensation under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13934/12]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The Salmon Hardship Fund was established by the then Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in line with the decision to put an end, on conservation grounds, to the mixed stock fishery for salmon at sea. The Scheme was put in place, on the basis of a 2006 Report of the Independent Salmon Group, to provide a payment to former commercial licence holders, based on their catch history, who could no longer fish or chose to withdraw from the fishery.

The scheme was launched in March 2007 and was administered by Bord Iascaigh Mara (BIM), with the exception of the Foyle area, which was administered by the Loughs Agency, and the closing date for receipt of completed applications was 27th April 2007. A total of 1,339 Letters of Offer were issued by BIM, to eligible applicants. The beneficiaries undertook not to apply for a commercial fishing licence in the future and had until the 31 December 2007 to complete the decommissioning of their nets and comply with the other terms of the scheme.

The Salmon Hardship Fund has been closed for almost five years and no further applications can be accepted. In addition, in the current very difficult economic circumstances, there are no plans to re-establish the scheme.