Written answers

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme

Photo of Andrew DoyleAndrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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1173. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline details on the 2013 Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme; if he will detail in tabular form, the amount of funding provided on a county-by-county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37381/13]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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This is an exciting time for the seafood processing sector, with enormous potential for growth and expansion. Since 2011, seafood exports have grown by €138 million, an impressive increase of 36%. Bord Iascaigh Mhara has reported that during that period processing companies who have benefitted from Government grant-aid through the Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme have generated 251 new jobs in the sector and prospects are positive for jobs and growth into the future. This year, the sector continues to perform well, with exports up by almost 4% as of May and the home market continues to counter the recession, growing by approximately 2% retail sales to mid-year.

I am committed to supporting the seafood processing sector in any way I can to help it in achieving its significant potential. The sector is one of the star performers in our food industry and can make an important contribution to our economic recovery. Already this year, I have made available €2.4 million in grant aid to 25 seafood processing companies under the 2013 Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme. Taken in conjunction with private sector investment, the total investment will be over €8 million in 2013. The 25 companies that received grant offers were from seven coastal counties across the country, namely Kerry, Dublin, Cork, Galway, Wexford, Mayo and Donegal.

The Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme is implemented as part of my Department’s Seafood Development Programme 2007-2013 and is co-funded by the European Fisheries Fund. The Scheme aims to support seafood processing companies scale up, diversify, add value to raw material and innovate as they develop new markets, enhancing profitability and job creation prospects into the future. The Scheme provides grant aid of up to 30% for value adding projects.

The table below sets out details of the grants approved in 2013.

2013 Grants Approved under the Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme

Company NameCountyInvestmentGrant
Fastnet MusselsCork518,050155,415
Good Fish Processing (Carrigaline) Ltd.Cork284,000 85,200
Keohane Seafood LtdCork853,530256,059
Normandy Ireland Ltd.Cork102,847 30,854
Shellfish De La MerCork550,747165,224
CSI Seafood Products Ltd.Cork270,000 81,000
William Carr & Sons LtdCork268,895 80,669
Total Cork2,848,069576,698
Charlie Vial (Fish Merchant) LtdDonegal84,658 25,397
Sean Ward Fish Exports Ltd.Donegal974,875292,462
Proseail An Clochan Liath Teo.Donegal91,007 27,302
Earagail Eisc TeoDonegal935,000280,500
Premier Fish Ltd.Donegal160,000 32,000
Island Seafoods Ltd.Donegal119,000 35,700
Arctic Fish LtdDonegal140,000 42,000
Total Donegal2,504,540572,962
Kish Fish Ltd.Dublin181,537 54,461
Dunns Seafare LtdDublin353,000105,900
Rockabill Shellfish LtdDublin197,719 59,316
Total Dublin732,256105,900
Breizon LtdGalway89,900 26,970
Oilean Mara TeoGalway378,561113,568
Cill Chiarian Eisc Teo Galway20,000 6,000
Total Galway488,461113,568
Star Seafoods Ltd.Kerry519,745155,923
Total Kerry519,745155,923
Connemara Seafoods Frozen LtdMayo134,640 40,392
Total Mayo134,640 40,392
Atlantis Seafoods Wexford Ltd.Wexford107,522 32,257
Kilmore Fish Co. LtdWexford349,300104,790
Sofrimar LtdWexford327,961 98,388
Total Wexford784,783104,790
TOTAL 8,012,4952,387,748

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