Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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260. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons directly involved in the fishing industry including catching, processing and transport; the extent to which opportunities continue to be examined for expansion in the area resulting in increased production and employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35771/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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262. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which employment at all levels in the fishing industry has fluctuated in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35773/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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263. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects the fishing industry to expand in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35774/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 260, 262 and 263 together.

The seafood sector provides employment for approximately 11,000 people around the coast of Ireland. Employment levels have been broadly stable in most sub-segments, with the processing sector increasing at a rate of on average 100 per year, supported by in excess of €7 million of grant aid since 2010, co-funded by the Exchequer and European Fisheries Fund.

Food Harvest 2020 has recognised the potential of the seafood sector to grow sales to €1 billion by 2020 and to increase employment by 3,000 to 14,000. Bord Iascaigh Mhara’s Strategy for the period 2013-2017 is targeting achievement of that €1 billion in seafood sales by 2017 and the creation of 1,200 jobs by 2017. Over the two years 2012/2013 seafood sales rose by another €85 million to reach €845 million, a very impressive increase from the Food Harvest baseline of €700 million, indicating that the sector is well on its way to achieving the Government’s growth targets.

My Department is presently working on development of a new operational programme for the seafood sector for the period 2014-2020 under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. As part of that work, my Department has completed a SWOT analysis of the seafood sector, in consultation with relevant State agencies and stakeholders. That analysis has identified many opportunities for the seafood sector to grow in the years ahead, together with the challenges that must be overcome. The new Operational Programme will seek to address those challenges and to build on the opportunities to maximise the contribution of the seafood sector to the economy and to further increase employment in coastal communities. A draft of the Programme will be published for consultation before the end of 2014 and the Programme should begin to be implemented from 2015.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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261. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which families dependent on the fishing industry may rely on a sustainable income in the future notwithstanding any restrictions arising from EU or national conservation measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35772/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The new CFP which was finalised last year under the Irish presidency will result in real meaningful reform to how EU waters are fished in the future. The agreement is designed to ensure the long term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters, utilising best scientific advice as a key determinant in setting annual fishing quotas in the future. The reformed CFP will provide the framework for the long term sustainability of fish stocks around our shores, the continued economic viability of our fishing fleet and fish processing while supporting the communities that depend on a vibrant fishing industry. The package agreed will support the rebuilding of fish stocks in European waters and will allow for setting TACs and quotas to reflect catches when a landing obligation is introduced on the basis that for the first and subsequent years, discarding of that stock will no longer be allowed. In the longer term as fish stocks reach and are maintained at healthy levels, it will support increased fishing opportunities for Irish fishermen.

New opportunities for the direct involvement of the fishing industry are also a central part of the new CFP Reform which, for the first time, introduces a regionalised approach to fisheries management.  We have moved away from the old system of an EU decision making approach centralised in Brussels. The new policy puts fishermen at the core of developing conservation measures for fisheries in which they are involved and also makes specific references to taking account of the needs of Irish fishermen.

From the outset of the Common Fisheries Policy revision process, Ireland’s overarching goal was to ensure a sustainable, profitable and self reliant industry that protects and enhances the social and economic fabric of rural coastal communities dependent on the seafood sector, while balancing these objectives with the need to safeguard fish stocks for future generations. This will ensure that families dependent on the fishing can look forward to being part of a vibrant, productive and resilient Irish fishing industry.