Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for the question. As he knows, the operation of the fish assist scheme is a matter for the Department of Social Protection. The primary source of funding for the Irish commercial seafood sector, including inshore and island fishermen and fisherwomen, is Ireland's seafood development programme, which is co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, EMFAF, 2021-2027. The measures which are eligible for aid are set out in the regulation governing the implementation of the EMFAF regulation, which is aligned with the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy. There is no provision for direct income supports in relation to primary producers in the seafood sector under the Common Fisheries Policy. The EMFAF regulation does not make provision for the use of EMFAF funds to provide income supports to primary producers in the seafood sector.

Equally, there is no provision in the relevant EU regulations governing state aid that would allow any Exchequer-funded subsidy scheme for the seafood sector or for fishermen, in particular. I note the Deputy's question revolves principally around the ability of fishermen and fisherwomen to engage with the Department of Social Protection on that. I assure the Deputy that whatever we can do on engaging with that sector, we are happy to do so. By the Deputy raising the question today, it has the capacity to highlight to those people who work in this sector that there is aid and support there, as there is with farm assist, which is again administered through the Department of Social Protection.

I am happy to assist in disseminating that information. It may be something that can be done through press releases by all of us to remind those who find themselves in difficult circumstances that the supports of the Department of Social Protection are there to assist all concerned.

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