Written answers

Wednesday, 15 September 2021

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Inland Fisheries

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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198. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the total funding allocated to compensate eel fishermen and women through a targeted support scheme announced in 2018; the person or body that administered the scheme; the amount of the fund spent on administration costs; the breakdown of administrative costs associated with the fund; the amount paid directly to fishermen and women; the average payment received by fishermen and women in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43603/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government’s Eel Fisherpersons Support Scheme was established in 2018 with projected funding of up to €3m for support of former fisherpersons. This projected maximum funding was based on the potential maximum number of applicants, considered in the context that the fishery had been closed for the previous 10 years and that former fisherpersons were free not to apply.  Following consultation with the European Commission and the Revenue Commissioners, the scheme which was launched in October 2018, was administered by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). An information booklet on the scheme, which included the basis for calculating payments, was made publically available and was circulated to applicants in advance of the application process.  

The scheme was available to persons who had held a fishing licence or permit in 2007 (the base year). A tax free sum was paid to qualifying persons in respect of each of the five reckonable years (2003-2007). A further taxable payment was made to eligible persons in respect of the average of their catches, based on State held records of catches contemporaneously declared by the applicants themselves, during the five reckonable years.

There was a very wide range of payment levels in line with the significant variance in individual applicants’ track record on licence/permit holding and declared catches in the fishery. A total of €2,021,500 was paid out to 121 qualifying applicants.

A provision for the administrative costs of IFI were provided separately from the fund for payment to applicants and this amounted to €72,410 over the three years 2108 to 2020.

All payments to qualifying applicants have been made and the fund is now closed.

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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199. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has engaged with Inland Fisheries Ireland regarding its decision to cease the education and outreach programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43604/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The administration and management of the Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) Educational Outreach Programme is an operational matter for IFI, under the governance of its Board.I and my Department have no function in the matter.IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that such queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI's objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie

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