Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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46. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports in place or to be put in place for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who has been unable to fish for the past few months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4533/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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It is important that the fishing industry take every precaution to avoid risk of injury or worse during periods of stormy weather and have full regard to local weather warnings before venturing to sea. Fishermen who may be experiencing financial difficulties while ashore during periods of adverse weather should contact the Department of Social Protection which offers income support payments, subject to certain eligibility criteria. The new Seafood Development Operational Programme under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund was adopted by the European Commission in December 2015. That Programme provides a comprehensive range of supports for the seafood sector worth €241 million, including a dedicated scheme of supports for the inshore sector to address the various economic and sustainability challenges facing the sector.

In relation to specific measures to support fishermen affected by significant losses arising from adverse weather events, the EMFF and the Operational Programme provide for the establishment by fishermen of a Mutual Fund for Adverse Climatic events and Environmental Incidents, which when established can provide aid to fishermen affiliated to the Fund in line with pre-defined rules. The Operational Programme will co-fund the Mutual Fund, together with subscriptions from member fishermen. In that sense, the viability of such a Mutual Fund is dependent on the extent to which fishermen commit to membership of that Fund.

Following the December 2015 adoption of the Programme, I launched the initial tranche of schemes on 14 January 2016 at the Government Press Centre with the support of the European Commission. Further schemes will follow during 2016. I will be discussing with fishing representatives how they may establish this Mutual Fund over the course of 2016.