Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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316. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grants available for safety schemes for persons; the amount allocated to them; and the participation rate for these schemes for the past 20 years. [18550/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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While overall responsibility for safety at sea rests with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, an Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) administers safety schemes for the fisheries and marine tourism sectors in Ireland as follows:

- Fleet Safety Scheme (de minimis)

This Scheme is intended to further improve the overall safety standards on board Irish fishing vessels. The Scheme provides grant aid of up to 60% for the purchase and installation of safety items including statutory lifesaving, fire-fighting, navigation and communication equipment.

- Marine Tourism Vessel Safety Scheme (de minimis)

This scheme provides support (up to 40% grant aid) for safety equipment on-board marine tourism vessels.

- Enhanced Safety Training Scheme (de minimis)

BIM’s Enhanced Safety Training Scheme is a 1-day course designed to provide the skipper and crews of registered fishing vessels with on-going training in personal survival techniques, first aid, fire fighting, and health and safety in the workplace. Those successfully completing the course (or, in the case of new entrants, those successfully completing BIM’s 3-day Basic Safety Training) may also avail of a special incentive under BIM’s Safety Equipment Scheme. This provides grant aid of up to 60% towards the cost of purchasing Personal Floatation Devices (PFD) fitted with an integrated Personal Locator Beacon (PLB).

I have requested BIM to provide information on financial allocations and participation rates for these schemes for the past 20 years directly to the Deputy.