Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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829. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 874 of 10 May 2022, the way that he will be reinvesting the €9 million that was saved by his Department back in to fishing communities in the State. [27810/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I have previously advised the Deputy of almost €32 million in funding to local authorities for projects concerning public marine infrastructure over 2022 and 2023.  A further call for projects is planned for later in the year to allocate remaining funding identified for the scheme.  Of particular note in this context is that the Brexit Adjustment Reserve does not cover VAT and so that is an element the Exchequer may need support for these projects. It is not possible to cost this accurately at this time.  I must stress that the scale of this investment is unprecedented and it is important that focus is on the delivery of the projects to maximise the opportunity in the short window we have for the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.

The Deputy will also have seen other recent announcements concerning projects in the six State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres at Killybegs, Ros an Mhíl, An Daingean, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth through the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.  All of these projects are of central importance to the seafood sector and coastal communities.