Written answers

Wednesday, 16 February 2022

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Brexit Supports

Photo of Alan DillonAlan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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245. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if allowances can be made for the small number of inshore fishery vessels to access the Brexit Inshore Fisheries business model adjustment scheme as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8682/22]

Photo of Alan DillonAlan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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247. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the budget that has been allocated for the 2022 Brexit inshore fisheries business model adjustment scheme; and the reason for excluding boats under 18 metres who have received payment under the Brexit temporary tie-up scheme. [8711/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 247 together.

On 12 January, I was delighted to announce a support scheme for the inshore fisheries sector to assist inshore fishers in adjusting to the impacts of Brexit on their businesses.  The Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme delivers on a recommendation of the Report of the Seafood Task Force - Navigating Change (October 2021). The scheme is proposed for funding under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR). The new scheme will assist inshore fishers in adjusting their business model to the post Brexit market environment via a suite of four online training modules to be made available by BIM, specifically tailored to the inshore fishing sector.  The scheme will provide payments to the participants to adjust their business and marketing plans etc., putting into practice the learnings from the BIM training.  Some €4,000 will be paid to owners of vessels over 8 metres in length (and under 18 metres) and some €2,700 to owners of vessels under 8 metres. The maximum budget for the scheme is €3.7 million.

The eligibility criteria for the scheme are based on the detailed scheme proposal to the Task Force made by the National Inshore Fisheries Forum and recommended by the Task Force for implementation. The NIFF criteria include an exclusion for owners of vessels which have received a payment under the Brexit Temporary  Fleet Tie-up Scheme, with the objective being to avoid aiding individuals twice for the impacts of Brexit.

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