Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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496. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in allocations by Bord Iascaigh Mhara under the fisheries local area action group fund; when allocations are expected; if there was a funding cut in 2020 to the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16595/20]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Progranmme 2014-20 is the principal source of development funding for the fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors. The Programme includes a €12 million Fisheries Local Action Group Scheme which aids community and micro enterprise projects in fisheries and aquaculture communities, mostly projects concerning the seafood and wider maritime sectors.

Approval of grants under the EMFF FLAG Scheme is an operational matter for BIM in association with the board of each of the seven FLAGs, who are responsible for selecting projects for funding. I understand from BIM that the first round of 2020 grant offers under the FLAG scheme is due to be issued imminently to successful projects.

While my Department sets the budget for schemes over the course of the 7 year EMFF Programme, the annual allocation within BIM's vote for individual schemes is an operational matter for BIM.