Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

349. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to commence another round of the buying out of salmon licences. [54243/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I assume the Deputy is referring to the Salmon Hardship Scheme which was introduced following a decision to stop the commercial mixed stock salmon fishery in the sea. Under the scheme fishermen active in the fishery could opt to cease the activity and undertake not to seek a licence in the future. In excess of €25m was allocated to the scheme to facilitate payments to fishermen with a further €5m provided for community development projects. The scheme, which was administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), closed for applications on 31st December 2007.

The Deputy will appreciate that in the current financial circumstances there is no prospect of revisiting such a scheme.