Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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534. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if grants are available for fishermen for the replacement of outboard boat engines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28007/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department's European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme is the vehicle for financial supports to the seafood sector for the period 2014 to 2020. The Programme delivers a wide range of supports for aquaculture, fisheries and seafood processing through a suite of schemes.

The Programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union and provides €239.3 million in funding - an investment of €91.7 million provided by the Government of Ireland and €147.6 million provided by the European Union.

The Sustainable Fisheries Scheme funded under the EMFF provides grant aid to the owners of commercial fishing vessels for fleet improvement projects for the purchase of capital equipment.

This includes engine replacement for marine fishing vessels under 12 metres overall length (LOA) provided that the new engine does not have more power in kW than the registered kW of the vessel. Engine replacement is funded at a grant aid rate of 30%.

Outboard engines are not eligible under this Scheme.