FDBusiness.com

The Irish Government has allocated grant aid of Eur1.7m for 18 companies towards a total investment package of Eur7.4m to enhance efficiency within the Irish seafood processing industry. The initiative is expected to create 158 new jobs in the sector over a three years period.

Amongst the companies approved for Government support is Cork-based Fastnet Mussels which will be investing in new capital equipment in order to produce value added cooked mussel products. Atlan Fish in Donegal is developing a value added processing area in order to increase production and broaden its product range, while Rockabill Shellfish in Dublin plans to increase production of value added prawn products and improve efficiencies through the installation of energy efficient equipment.

The aims of the Irish Government’s Processing Scheme are to add value to Irish seafood products, improve efficiency, promote consolidation and create additional income and employment within the sector.

The Government has also launched new pilot jobs initiative for the fishing port of Killybegs aimed at creating an additional 250 jobs in the area by 2014. The jobs initiative is a result of an economic study carried out for the EU Commission which assessed the status, development and potential diversification of Killybegs as a fisheries dependent community.