Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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642. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be made available for persons involved in aquaculture operating in Fenit Bay, Kenmare Bay and Dingle Bay, County Kerry; if so, the status of the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18146/20]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Programme 2014-20 is the principal source of development funding for the fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors.

The EMFF Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme provides supports to the aquaculture industry to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises while also preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency.  This scheme is implemented on a national basis by Bord Iascaigh Mhara.  The overall budget allocated to the scheme over the lifetime of the EMFF Programme is over €20 million.  

Approval of grants under the EMFF Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme is an operational matter for BIM. 

Aquaculture funding is for capital investments and the scheme is open to all aquaculture operators who meet the eligibility requirements.

Details of the Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme, who may be eligible to apply for aid and the detailed application and assessment criteria are specified in detail on the website of Bord Iascaigh Mhara at the following link:  http://www.bim.ie/schemes.