Ms Sinéad McSherry:

A number of schemes are open at the moment that service the inshore sector. Among the eight schemes that were opened this year, we have the inshore fisheries scheme, which provides targeted supports for small-scale coastal vessels. The lobster v-notching scheme has also been opened. There is a sustainable fisheries scheme and the young fishers scheme.

Most recently, the Minister announced the inshore fleet economic assessment scheme. Key to this scheme is that it is intended to support the economic development of the inshore fleet. From his interactions with inshore fishers, the Deputy will be aware that the data available are very scarce and perhaps inconsistent. We have worked with BIM, which is going to gather data with fishers on key areas, including market and economic factors such as prices, market access, supply chains, social and institutional factors such as transport, logistics, credit and financial services, a good deal of socioeconomic and demographic data and also on some of their technical and innovative practices. Fishers will be compensated for taking part in that exercise, which is designed to add to the information that was gathered in the 2023 census. The information gathered will allow us to construct and work on supports and services where we can most help inshore fishers.