Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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324. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason fishers who could not achieve the 30 days at sea over the specified period in 2021 due to the closure of the hook and line mackerel fishery in June 2021 a few days after it started are excluded from applying for the Brexit compensation grant; if the scheme will be amended in order that the days of closure of the fishery will be counted as eligible days for the purpose of the scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35151/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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On the 12th of January 2022, I announced 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 was implemented over the period January to March 2022 and is closed since 31 March.  Some 754 inshore fishing vessel owners received aid under the scheme at a total cost of €2.5 million.  The scheme delivered on a recommendation of the Report of the Seafood Task Force - Navigating Change (October 2021) and is proposed for funding under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve. 

Under the scheme BIM provided a suite of four online training modules, specifically tailored to the inshore fishing sector.  After viewing the courses, participants in the scheme received a payment to adjust their business and marketing plans  to the post Brexit environment, putting into practice the learnings from the BIM training.  Some €4,000 was paid to owners of vessels over 8 metres in length (and under 18 metres) and €2,700 was paid to owners of vessels under 8 metres.

The eligibility criteria for the scheme were based on the detailed scheme proposal to the Seafood Task Force made by the National Inshore Fisheries Forum, the main representative body for the inshore fishing sector, and recommended to me by the Task Force for implementation. The NIFF recommended that the eligibility criteria for the scheme require that applicants demonstrate that they were active fishers during the first six months of 2021.  I accepted the NIFF recommendations, but to taking account of the seasonal patterns of some inshore fisheries, I broadened the eligibility criteria recommended by the NIFF to allow applicants demonstrate this minimum level of fishing activity over the course of the full year of 2021.  The requirements of the scheme for vessels over 10 metres were that they must demonstrate that they were active through logbook data showing a minimum of 30 days fishing activity throughout 2021. 

The Scheme provided for an appeals mechanism to be put in place to adjudicate on appeals from applicants dissatisfied with any decision by BIM concerning their application.  The scheme is closed since 31 March.