Irish seafood processing sector receives investment

A new government scheme has been announced by the Irish minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, which will create 158 new jobs in the Seafood Processing Sector.

The Processing Scheme will be investing in generating efficiencies in the processing sector and will create new jobs over a three year period. Grant aid has been approved for eighteen companies to receive €1.7 million which will mean a a total investment of €7.4 million in the processing sector.

Dublin's Rockabill Shellfish Ltd will be installing energy efficient equipment in order to increase their prawn products, while Fastnet Mussels Ltd in Cork will be investing in new equipment to produce cooked mussel products. It is hoped that the economy of many rural coastal areas will receive a boost with the increased production and provision of new jobs.

Minister Coveney commented "It is clear from this economic report that significant job creation potential exists for fisheries dependent regions like Killybegs, provided there is a focus on the natural resources that are obvious to the region.  I am conscious that there needs to be greater integration and 'joined up thinking' from state agencies and stakeholders in the region if this potential is to be achieved.  With that in mind, I'm establishing a focused expert group to identify a direct series of actions that I believe can deliver 250 jobs in the Killybegs region over the next 3 years."