Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Since the publication of the report of the seafood task force in October 2021, Navigating Change, I have announced a number of support schemes for our fishing fleet and wider seafood sector and coastal communities. Between October and December 2021, a Brexit temporary fleet tie-up scheme made available supports of between €4,600 and €88,700 per month, depending on vessel size, for vessels to tie up for a calendar month. Vessels in the Rockall squid fishery could tie up for two months, which 179 vessels availed of. I introduced this tie-up scheme again in May and it will operate until November.

To further assist the fishing fleet in these difficult times the Deputy mentioned, I am allowing each vessel to receive aid for up to two months this year rather than one month, as was the case in the previous year, despite the sea fisheries task force having recommended just one month for this year too. A total of 67 vessel owners availed of that in June and 43 in July. For the inshore fleet, a Brexit inshore fisheries business model adjustment scheme operated from January to March and was availed of by 754 inshore fishing vessel owners, delivering between €2,700 and €4,000. We have also announced a €45 million Brexit processing capital support scheme and, for coastal communities, a €25 million Brexit blue economy enterprise development scheme to deliver grants of up to €200,000 for capital investments in coastal areas.

There are specific challenges at the moment with regard to fuel and the impact coming from Ukraine. Unlike in other sectors, no excise duty is charged on marine fuel and VAT on marine fuel is reclaimable and, therefore, there is no Government take in respect of the fuel. In effect, the industry is seeking a subsidy to help meet the undoubtedly significant cost. I met representatives and had a strong, in-depth conversation with them, and I am considering the submissions they made to me.

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