Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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517. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in paying fishermen compensation; the timeframe for paying them in 2023 and ensuring there will be no loss to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22390/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, I established the Seafood Task Force to examine the implications of the EU/UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement (TCA) for the Fishing and Seafood Industry and Coastal Communities, and to consider initiatives and make recommendations to address those implications.

The Task Force published its report in October 2021, recommending 16 initiatives to mitigate the challenges arising from Brexit and the TCA and to support fishers, seafood processors, aquaculture operators and entrepreneurship and infrastructure in coastal communities in this context. These included initiatives proposed for funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, in addition to initiatives to be funded by my Department's EMFAF Seafood Development Programme.

Recognising the volume of recommendations and the requirement for assessing each in the context of State Aid Guidelines, the Public Spending Code and relevant regulations, the Task Force stated that these could only be addressed on a phased and prioritised basis.

To date, I have announced 12 schemes with a total budget of €271.3 million, all of which are proposed for funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. The remaining recommendations are being assessed with a view to implementing further schemes before the end of 2023.