Treacy Welcomes Support for Community Based Fisheries, Tourism and Marketing Initiatives

Mr. Noel Treacy T.D., Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce has today (Monday 27th July, 1998) warmly welcomed the recent decision by his Government colleague, Dr. Michael Woods T.D., to approve grant aid which will facilitate investment in Fisheries and Marine related Projects, throughout the Country. A number of the projects have been approved for Community based Initiatives in County Galway.

The investment is supported by £1.8 million under EU PESCA Community Initiative, which is managed by BIM, and Government grants of almost £370,000. The allocation of funding under the PESCA Initiative complements and enhances the substantial £140 million investment programme already taking place under the Fisheries Operational Programme.

Among the projects in East Galway to receive grant aid are the BIM/St. George Oyster Fishery for the Rehabilitation of Native Oyster Beds and a project at Kilcolgan which involves the provision of a Passenger Vessel for sight seeing trips throughout the entire Galway Bay area.

The total investment in the BIM/St.George Oyster Fishery for the Rehabilitation of Native Oyster Beds is £77,620 of which EU Grant is £58,215 and National Aid is £19,405. The total investment in the Kilcolgan Project for the Provision of a Passenger Vessel for sight seeing trips throughout the Galway Bay area, is £152,080 of which circa £73,000 is Grant Aid.

Minister Treacy said "I am delighted with this announcement as I feel it is particularly important that local communities diversify into water-based leisure ventures which will leave them well place to capitalise on Ireland's growing marine, tourism and leisure sector. These grants demonstrate the Government's commitment to securing and enhancing the livelihoods of the People who are our coastal communities."