Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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222. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an overview of the seafood scaling and new market development scheme; the amount of funding that will be allocated to the scheme in 2019 and 2020; and when the applications will open. [41598/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme provides a broad range of supports to foster the sustainable development of our seafood sector.

I am continuing to support businesses, especially the agri-food sector, to prepare for Brexit through a broad range of advisory and financial supports. At a Brexit Preparedness workshop in Cork on 30 September, I announced the opening of the expanded EMFF Seafood Scaling and New Market Development Scheme.The new Seafood Scaling Scheme is being implemented through a partnership between Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Bord Bia and is targeted specifically at seafood enterprises to support them in developing and diversifying their export markets worldwide.

The Scheme supports seafood enterprises to develop new export markets through international seafood trade shows and other customer networking events. The largest support rates will be reserved for seafood enterprises who work together to develop export markets and these groups will be supported for additional activities such as overseas agents and office rental, and for formal participation in trade shows. The Scheme has a budget in 2019 of €680,000. While the budget for 2020 is yet to be established, increased demand for the broadened range of supports is likely to see a higher scheme allocation. The scheme is open for applications and application details are accessible through the BIM website at the following link.