Written answers

Tuesday, 6 December 2022

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Fishing Industry

Photo of Michael McNamaraMichael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

722. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the figures for fish landed into all the local authority harbours in County Clare in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60456/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can inform the Deputy that under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues concerning sea fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service.

The data requested on fish landings is held by the SFPA and I have referred the Deputy's request to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

723. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding schemes that he plans to introduce in 2023 to support the Irish fishing fleet and the wider seafood sector and that have been developed in line with the recommendations of the “Report of the Seafood Task Force - Navigating Change”; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60709/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Report of the Seafood Task Force – Navigating Change (October 2021) recommended 16 support schemes at an estimated cost of €423 million, collectively designed to address the impacts of Brexit and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) on our seafood sector and coastal communities. 

Given the large number of recommendations and the work required to examine each from the perspective of funding available, eligibility under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve Regulation, State Aid rules, and the Public Spending code, the Task Force recommended that its 16 recommended schemes be considered on a phased and prioritised basis. 

Since the publication of the Task Force Report, €225m in supports and developmental strategies have been launched. These are more generous and comprehensive than those put in place elsewhere and will enable our seafood sector and coastal communities to overcome the significant challenges it faces. Key measures introduced include the €45 million Brexit Processing Capital Support Scheme, the €25 million Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme and a €35 million Brexit Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme. The Brexit Voluntary Permanent Cessation Scheme recently closed having received 63 applications which are now undergoing assessment by BIM.

The evaluation and examination of the remaining Task Force recommendations is continuing with proposed measures at varying stages of progress and dependent also on the varying factors outlined above, including the securing of State Aid approval where appropriate. In addition to this, it is worth noting that the Task Force recommendations extended to the use of funding under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Programme which was approved by Government in September and has been submitted to the European Commission for adoption. This will provide a platform for longer term development of the sector up to 2027.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.