Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We recognise that we have some room to manoeuvre in terms of EMFF funding that may have been earmarked for expenditure in other areas but due to Covid-19 it will not now be necessary. We are looking at how we might reallocate the funding.

There is a view that up to €30 million is available in the context of uncommitted EMFF funding but there is not the smell of that kind of money. We are looking at what resources we might be able to allocate. I accept Deputy Pringle's point about all the sectors, including the inshore sector. I have been quite proactive in terms of looking after the inshore sector, as Deputy Pringle is aware. I refer to such measures as excluding the larger boats from inshore waters. I am very keen that in any deliberations we have on these matters that the National Fisheries Inshore Forum, NIFF, would be in the room. As recently as yesterday its representatives were in the room in consultation on these matters with all of the other producer organisations, POs, and representatives of processors, including from Deputy Pringle's constituency. We are acutely aware of the situation.

A person employed on a fishing boat that boat is tied up and who becomes unemployed is entitled to the Covid-19 payment of €350. A self-employed person who is now unemployed is entitled to the Covid-19 payment. The sector is as entitled to the horizontal supports as any other sector.

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