Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 548: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views, in view of the delays surrounding the introduction of the operational programme for fisheries, on whether there will be a need to extend the N+2 rule which currently applies to EU funding; if he has received assurances from Brussels in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27705/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Seafood Development Measure contained in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 is divided between the EU Co-funded Operational Programme and the National Seafood Development Operational Programme. The EU Co-funded OP has already commenced and has funded the 2008 decommissioning scheme which has allowed 46 boats to be decommissioned with grant aids totalling €36.6 million already paid and this scheme is now closed.

The N+2 rule relates to the decommitment of EU funds if a member state does not submit a claim for the annual allocation of EU funds within two years of this allocation. The first allocation given to Ireland was in 2008 as the Seafood Development Operational Programme was not adopted by the Commission until September 2008. Therefore, under the N+2 rule Ireland will have a cut-off date of December 31 2010 to submit a claim to the EU commission. Officials in my Department are now in the process of preparing a claim to the EU Commission which is well in advance of the N+2 rule requirement.

The National Seafood Development Operational Programme 2007-2013 which is fully funded by the Exchequer will not be affected by the N+2 rule as no EU funds are committed to this Operational Programme.