Fish processing grant applications
Gallagher asks about fish-processing grant applications and whether incentives and funding are sufficient. Donegan clarifies that grant agencies received 33 applications in 1976—23 for new plants and 10 for extensions, compared with 13 in 1975—and says funding is adequate.
asked the Minister for Fisheries the number of applications for grants for fish processing received by BIM for 1976.
Comment on this
The answer is none because BIM are not the grant agency for the fish processing sector. The Industrial Development Authority or Gaeltarra Éireann as appropriate are prepared to grant aid the establishment or extension of suitable fish processing projects.
Comment on this
Would the Minister accept that the grants paid by the IDA are usually recommended by BIM? The grants are given in consultation with the IDA. If no applications have been received would he accept that something is very wrong and greater incentives are necessary to encourage processing?
Comment on this
I would not so accept. I am sorry the answer given to me did not contain the information I will give the Deputy now because it might have saved him asking his supplementary question. During 1976 a total of 33 applications in relation to fish processing were received by the grant agencies: 23 were in respect of new plants and ten for extensions to existing plants. The corresponding figures for 1975 were eight new and five extensions.