Killybegs fisheries sector to gain 250 jobs in department-led initiative

THE fisheries sector in Killybegs, Co Donegal, will gain an additional 250 jobs by 2014 under an initiative formally launched yesterday by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney.

The report has been produced by the department’s high-level group on job creation in the Killybegs region, a group which Mr Coveney set up in June following the economic report for the European Commission.

With representatives from the seafood sector, tourism, education, enterprise, the department-led group assessed the status, development and potential diversification of Killybegs as a fisheries-dependent community.

The group sought to identify potential for jobs in seafood, ancillary services, offshore supports, tourism and marine leisure and green economy/renewable energy.

Mr Coveney said: “The group has not only clearly outlined how 250 jobs can be achieved, but has also identified new areas where additional jobs can be created into the future.”

The report outlines 250 jobs to be created over a three-year period across five key areas.

In total, 130 potential jobs were identified within the seafood sector. The expected increased access to raw materials such as blue whiting and boarfish present the most significant opportunities, along with a concerted focus on value adding opportunities.

Within the ancillary services, 24 jobs were identified, if collaborative opportunities between various companies can be enhanced.

The offshore sector could generate 20 jobs, but competitive service provision and appropriate skill resources are funda-mental to achieve this.

Some 50 jobs were identified within the tourism/marine leisure area , whilst the green economy and renewable energy area offers the potential to create up to 40 jobs.