Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 526: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress being made on the European fisheries fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36944/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The European Fisheries Fund is used to fund expenditure under the EU Seafood Development Operational Programme 2006-2013. The OP was approved by the European Commission in September 2008.

The main item of expenditure under the OP relates to the Decommissioning Scheme under which 46 vessels have been decommissioned and €36.6m paid to vessel owners over 2008 and 2009. In total 6,913 GTs and 19,356 kWs have been taken out of the Irish sea-fishing fleet which means a greater share of quotas for those remaining in the industry.

Funding is also available under the OP for schemes in relation to the promotion of Environmental Management and Inshore Management. The implementing agency (BIM) has been engaging with the stakeholders during 2009 with a view to launching the Environmental Management Systems Scheme and the Inshore Management Scheme in the fourth quarter of this year.

Provision has also been made under the OP in relation to assisting the setting up of Coastal Action Groups to support sustainable development and the improvement of quality of life in eligible fisheries areas. Meetings have taken place with Leader groups and Údarás na Gaeltachta and discussions are taking place on the remit and make up of the National Implementation Board who will oversee the setting up of the Coastal Action Groups. A public call for expression of interest in setting up coastal action groups will be advertised in the fourth quarter of this year.