Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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187. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of implementing the recommendations of the Review of the Organisational Capability of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26848/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Sea Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) commissioned PWC to undertake an independent review of the Organisational Capability of the organisation in 2019. A Steering Group comprised of three senior and expert persons, all independent of the SFPA, was put in place to oversee the review. The principal objective of the review was to contribute to the ongoing and future development of the SFPA. The areas covered by the review are the organisational capabilities of the SFPA to deliver on its mission for the effective and fair regulation of the sea fishing and seafood sectors that fall within its mandate.

The Review was completed in April 2020 and made 46 recommendations which, when implemented, will address issues identified to improve the effectiveness of the organisation. Responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations rests with the SFPA which is an independent agency as set down in the 2006 Act. My role, as Minister, relates solely to corporate governance.

It is envisaged that all costs relating to the implementation of the review recommendations will be met from within the SFPA’s existing exchequer budgetary allocation. The total 2021 budget allocation is €24.810m. This allocation allows the SFPA to continue to meet its National and EU obligations as Ireland's Competent Authority for enforcement of Sea Fisheries and seafood safety law and to meet challenges arising from Brexit.