Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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579. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for supporting the fish processing, fish exporting and fish retail sectors to deal with the challenges of rising energy costs; the way that he intends to avail of the opportunity provided by the European Commission in March 2022 to prioritise European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund supports for these sectors to deal specifically with the ongoing energy crises; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there have been no supports provided to this sector to date and that jobs will be lost unless a plan is put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46580/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am conscious of the significant increases in energy prices for the whole of the seafood sector. I met with representative groups from the industry in July and again last week, and discussed the impacts of the high fuel and energy prices on the profitability of fishing, seafood processing and aquaculture sectors. The industry is dealing with the impacts of the Brexit Trade & Co-operation Agreement alongside the current energy challenges. In this context, I have been active over the last number of months in implementing extensive support schemes for the wider seafood sector and coastal communities, in line with the recommendations of the “Report of the Seafood Task Force - Navigating Change.”

Included in the schemes launched to date is the €45 million Brexit Processing Capital Support Scheme. This scheme offers grants of up to 40% of the cost of renewable energy generation investments and energy efficiency investments. Similarly, the €25 million Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme offers support for a range of entrepreneurial activities including seafood related activities. A key component of the scheme is support for investment in renewable energy. These supports not only provide investment in seafood enterprises, but also ensure they can remain competitive in the long term and be less exposed to issues within their operating environments.

I have worked very closely with industry to develop short and longer term supports to assist the wider seafood industry cope with the consequences of Brexit and the circumstances that have affected the industry since then. Since the publication of the Task Force Report, €225m in supports and developmental strategies have been launched which will enable our seafood sector and coastal communities to overcome the significant challenges it faces.

I have made clear the position that the seafood sector must be supported under any business supports provided in the upcoming Budget and I will continue to monitor and assess the situation over the coming period and keep all available options under active consideration.

In respect of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, Ireland’s Programme to deliver this fund has been submitted to the Commission for consideration and adoption.