Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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569. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the next open call for funding for European Innovation Partnership will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34979/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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European Innovation Partnership (EIP-agri) projects are a successful vehicle for interested parties – farmers, scientists, etc. – to collaborate on a particular issue, trialling solutions on the ground. Last December, my Department held an open call for proposals for a nationwide European Innovation Partnership (EIP-agri) project to deal with issues of losses of nutrients to water. I hope to shortly announce the successful applicant.

This EIP is a collaboration between my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and following-on from this, both Departments are currently developing another EIP, on which I will have more information later this year.

In addition to this, my Department recently held a public consultation seeking themes for potential future EIPs. We are currently reviewing the responses received. Themes arising from this consultation and those already included in the CAP Strategic Plan will be the focus of open calls for proposals across the current programming period. My Department is aiming to open a call, on a theme or themes to be decided, in the third quarter this year.