Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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154. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. [24136/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Brexit Adjustment Reserve represents an important response by the European Union to the challenges posed by the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU.

Ireland played a leading role in securing support for the Reserve at the marathon European Council meeting last July.

The purpose of the Reserve is to help counter the adverse economic and social consequences of Brexit in the sectors and Member States that are worst affected.

Measures may include: support to economic sectors, businesses and local communities, including those dependent on fishing activities in the UK waters; support to employment, including through short-time work schemes, re-skilling and training; ensuring the functioning of border, customs, sanitary and phytosanitary and security controls, fisheries control, certification and authorisation regimes for products, communication, information and awareness raising for citizens and businesses.

It is generally acknowledged that Ireland is the Member State most impacted by Brexit and so we expect to be a significant beneficiary of the Reserve.

For Ireland, relevant areas for support are expected to include enterprise supports; supports for the agri-food sector; fisheries; reskilling and retraining; and infrastructure for the ports and airport.

At the end of April the Council of Ministers agreed its position on the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, ahead of trilogue negotiations with the European Parliament and the European Commission that are now underway.

The Council proposes that Ireland would receive the largest single Member State allocation of just over €1 billion, or just over 20% of available funding.

The proposed allocation for Ireland reflects the unique, adverse and disproportionate impact of Brexit on our economy, and reflects continuing strong EU solidarity with Ireland.