Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Funding for the marinas and harbours is going to make a large impact. The funding of €6 million for Cork will be significant. I also took the step today to increase the co-funding requirement to 95%. When I launched tranche 1 funding back at the start of the year it was 80% co-funding for the majority of projects. That has now gone to 95%. I have done that retrospectively. Previously announced funds that Cork would have got earlier in the year will now be funded to the tune of 95% also. That should relieve the pressure that this funding is putting on the local authority in terms of the co-funding aspect. I recognise the Deputy's advocacy for those projects that got funded.

Regarding shrimp, the Deputy has made representations to me about this issue previously. It certainly seems to be an emerging challenge. The inshore sector is important in terms of employment, particularly in the Cork area. The €2,700 payment was an important support coming out of the Brexit process. The payment rates for boats of over 10 m was €4,000 per vessel. We had 790 applications to that fund. I am aware of the importance of the sector and I will continue to engage with the Deputy on the issues. The challenging market situation is something over which we have limited control but I will certainly continue to work on it.