Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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17. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of applications received by Bord Íascaigh Mhara for the lobster pot and shrimp pot loss compensation scheme, being administered by BIM on behalf of his Department; the number of these applications deemed valid; the estimated cost of compensation based on these applications; the amount paid to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20340/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In February this year, I introduced a scheme to assist pot fishermen with the cost of replacing lobster, crab and shrimp pots lost or damaged in the storms. The Shellfish Pot Replacement Scheme administered by BIM is providing 40% of the cost of replacing these lost pots through fixed payments of €24 per lobster/crab pot and €12 per shrimp pot. By the closing date of 28 March 2014, BIM had received 151 applications. Two were excluded as invalid as the vessels concerned were not registered sea-fishing boats. 116 applications have been approved, while a further 33 applications require further information. It is expected that the Scheme will cost approximately €170,000.

I am acutely conscious of the difficult time experienced by fishermen in the early months of this year. In addition to introducing the Shellfish Pot Replacement Scheme, I would draw the Deputy’s attention to the very significant funds I have made available to assist the fishing and aquaculture sectors with the impacts of the storms on piers, harbours and other coastal infrastructure, on which the fishing and aquaculture sectors rely. On 20 March 2014, I announced a €23 million package for the repair of public owned piers, harbours and slipways damaged during the winter storms and for investment in the ongoing development of Ireland’s public harbour network. €8.5m of this funding will assist 11 Local Authorities and my Department to repair 115 storm damaged piers and harbours and coastal infrastructure. A further €14.63 million has been committed to my Department’s 2014 harbours investment programme as part of an ongoing and long term strategy to develop and improve the facilities at our Fishery Harbour Centres and other public harbours around our coast.

This €23 million investment will repair the storm damage to our vitally important fisheries piers and harbours network and will develop our harbours for the benefit of our seafood industry and the coastal communities dependent on this infrastructure. This package will help to ensure that this important infrastructure is fit for purpose in the modern era and will bring significant added value to local communities and much welcome jobs and economic activity. I am acutely conscious of the needs of our important inshore fishing sector and am actively reviewing how the interests of the inshore fishing sector can best be addressed.