Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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87. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that adequate opportunities remain for employment in the fish and fish-processing industry, with particular reference to those dependent on the industry for their livelihood; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7246/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The seafood sector provides employment for approximately 11,000 people around the coast of Ireland. Employment levels have remained broadly stable throughout the recession years. However, employment in the processing sector has been increasing at a rate of on average 100 per year, supported by significant ongoing capital investment by the sector, 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.

I will be launching in 2015 a new €241 million Seafood Development Programme for the period up to 2020. The new Programme will support the many investments required to assist the seafood industry in achieving its employment and value potential. I will be publishing a detailed consultation document and Strategic Environmental Assessment for public consultation in March 2015, with a view to submitting the new Programme to the European Commission by May 2015.