Batt O'Keeffe
Question:16 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine if all fish processing plants involved in exportation have been upgraded in accordance with EU Regulation 492/493. [10431/97]
Written Answers. - Fish Processing Industry.
I am advised that the programme to upgrade fish processing firms to meet the mandatory standards under the EU health and hygiene regulations is virtually complete at this stage with some residual work in the case of a few plants nearing completion.
In order to assist fish processing firms to comply with the regulatory requirements within the time frame of end 1996, grant aid was provided under the Fisheries Operational Programme to over 90 firms representing a total investment of over £13 million for upgrading purposes. A final round of checks on upgraded premises is being completed by Department inspectors which has confirmed that the processing sector has been brought into line with the EU standards.
Remaining funds for fish processing under the Fisheries Operational Programme will be targeted on new capacity expansion projects to deliver on job creation and output targets for the sector.
Liz O'Donnell
Question:17 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for the Marine if it is proposed to introduce new incentives to encourage the modernisation and expansion of the fish processing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9022/97]
Under the Operational Programme for Fisheries some IR£9 million in EU aid has already been provided to support a total investment of IR£31 million in the fish processing sector. Most of the aid provided to date has been geared towards assisting the sector to upgrade facilities in line with mandatory EU health and hygiene standards and consequently to maintain existing employment and facilitate further development by these firms.
Remaining funding is now being targeted at new capacity expansion projects in the processing sector. To date, 11 development projects have been approved for over £1.5 million aid representing total investment of nearly £5 million.
The targeted investment support for new development projects is designed to deliver on the objectives of job creation and increased output from the processing sector.
I am also seeking in the context of the mid-term review of the Community support framework to secure additional funds for fish processing projects. Such funding will be essential to support a significant number of new capacity expansion projects in the pipeline.