Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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664. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider a voluntary buy out scheme for snap net fishermen on the rivers Barrow, Nore, Suir and Slaney, if the fishermen were prepared to relinquish their licences in favour of compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34960/16]

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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665. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will consider a voluntary buy out scheme for drift net fisherman on the estuaries to the rivers Barrow, Nore and Suir, if the fisherman were prepared to relinquish their licences in favour of compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34961/16]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 664 and 665 together.

The Salmon Hardship Scheme was introduced following a Government decision in 2006 to cease, for conservation reasons, the commercial salmon mixed stock fishery.  Under the scheme, fishermen active in the commercial salmon fishery, could opt to voluntarily cease fishing and undertake not to seek a licence in the future. Payments to individuals were based on verifiable track record and recorded catches in the five years prior to its introduction.

In excess of €25 million was allocated to the scheme to facilitate payments to fishermen, with a further €5 million provided for community development projects.  The scheme closed for applications on 31 December 2007 and ceased in 2008. I understand that all funds were expended and there are currently no plans to revisit such a scheme.