Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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35. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of applicants that applied for the Brexit tie-up scheme since September 2021 on a regional basis; the number that have been approved; the total cost of the provision of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60665/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I launched a Brexit Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme in September 2021 on foot of the recommendation for such a scheme in the Report of the Seafood Sector Task Force - Navigating Change (October 2021). The Scheme was established as a targeted measure for certain segments of the fishing fleet to mitigate the loss of income in 2021 arising from the significant quota reductions under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The scheme is administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara and is proposed for funding under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve.

As recommended by the Task Force, the scheme is open to whitefish vessels in the Polyvalent and Beam Trawl segments of the fishing fleet and provides aid to vessels opting to tie-up for a calendar month during the October to December period, thereby freeing up quota for vessels that remain fishing. Vessels excluded by the UK from the Rockall squid fishery are eligible for an additional month of tie-up. Payments under the scheme are between €4,600 and €88,700 per vessel depending on the size of the vessel.

BIM has confirmed to me that a total of 229 applications have been made for tie-up in either October, November or December 2021 and a regional breakdown is provided in the accompanying table.

Of the applications received, 38 were deemed ineligible and a further 12 approved applicants declined the grant offer. As a result, 179 applicants will receive a payment under this scheme, at a cost of €10m approximately.