Minister of State and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen today said that the Government remained committed to helping Clare communities to diversify and reduce the effect of the loss of income from wild salmon.
His comment follows the announcement of an allocation by Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister Eamon O’Cuiv of EUR200k to Rural Resource Development Ltd. (Clare LEADER), under a newly announced Government scheme. The EUR5m Community Support Scheme has been established following a recommendation by the Report of the Independent Salmon Group. It follows on from the EUR25 million Salmon Hardship Scheme, which has already benefited a number of local commercial salmon fishing licence holders.
Commenting on the background to the Community Support Scheme, Minister Killeen said, “This Scheme aims to develop additional economic opportunities for crews and employees in the processing and ancillary sectors in the communities where commercial salmon fishing has been a well-established activity and where its withdrawal has demonstrably impacted on the economic and social fabric”.
“Rural Resource Development (RRD) is among 17 organisations, 15 of which are LEADER companies, to receive funds under the Community Support Scheme”, he explained. Minister Killeen said that he expected the Shannon-based RRD to advertise the Scheme shortly.
The Scheme is supervised by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in conjunction with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
