Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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234. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it can be expected that he will announce an operational programme for the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund 2021-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11980/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Programme 2014-2020 is the principal source of public funding for the sustainable development of our fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors and is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.  It has been in place since 2015 and is nearing its end, with almost all funds committed.  Its successor, the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund 2021-2027 (EMFAF), was established by regulation on 7 July 2021.

Ireland's Seafood Development Programme under the new EMFAF is being developed by my Department at present and I expect to submit it to the Commission later this year for its adoption. Work is progressing well, informed by a number of engagements with stakeholders to date.  There will be a final public consultation on the draft Programme and SEA Environmental Report in the second half of this year, ensuring further opportunity for stakeholders to input their views on the Programme's content and priorities for funding.