asked the Minister for the Marine the total number of persons employed in fish farming in the State; the plans, if any, the Government have for the expansion and development of this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

There are at present 330 full-time and 1,040 part-time workers engaged in aquaculture. In conjunction with my Department, BIM is working on plans for the development of the industry over the coming years and it is expected that by 1991 the numbers employed will be 1,100 full-time and 2,300 part-time. A strategy to underpin this development of the aquaculture industry has recently been approved by the Government which covers the allocation of functions and responsibilities of the various agencies involved in aquaculture — my Department, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Udarás na Gaeltachta, the reconstituted fisheries boards, and the proposed Marine Institute.

The strategy provides that my Department will have responsibility for overall policy, planning licensing and the co-ordination of the activities of all the other agencies and a committee structure is being established to facilitate those tasks. A small management committee has already been established comprising representatives from my Department, BIM, Údarás and Roinn na Gaeltachta. Among its tasks will be the co-ordination of State funding for aquaculture projects so as to optimise the returns in terms of employment and output. Another new feature is the establishment of an advisory committee which will represent all the major interests in the aquaculture industry and will improve communications and the flow of ideas on the best means for securing the development of the industry.

In view of the scale of the investment necessary to maximise jobs in the aquaculture area, there is need for active State investment to give a lead in this industry. Given the history of involvement of State and semi-State bodies in fish farming to date — for example, the ESB who were the single biggest fish farmer for a long time, the Central Fisheries Board and other agencies — have the Government any plans for borrowing abroad, if necessary, and the investment of State money in the development and leadership of this industry?

The Government are anxious that there be the maximum investment in this area. In order to ensure that we can avail of FEOGA grants — a matter for another question — we are providing the minimum State assistance so that there will be an equitable distribution of this money across the board and to maximise the grants available from the Community.

In view of the fact that Údarás na Gaeltachta had a major impact in the pioneering development of much of the work in fish farming in recent years, and because Údarás na Gaeltachta have to develop natural resources if they are to create jobs, what is the Government's role for Údarás na Gaeltachta in terms of the strategy recently approved for fish farming development? I am sure the Minister knows exactly what I am speaking about.

Údarás na Gaeltachta will play a very active part. We have ensured that they will be very much a part of the management team which will meet often, possibly on a monthly basis, to assess on an ongoing basis the development of aquaculture. They will also give their assessment on applications for grant aid, whether inside or outside the Gaeltacht. The Deputy will fully appreciate the work Údarás na Gaeltachta have done in the development of aquaculture in the Gaeltacht areas. We want to capitalise on the data they have garnered over the years and which will be part and parcel of the scheme.