Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In the years 2021 to 2023 funding of over €216 million for the seafood sector was provided under the schemes which were put in place following the report of the Seafood Task Force, and funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. Schemes were also in place during that period, funded under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

As such, the implementation of the EMFAF during 2021 - 2023 has focused predominantly on ensuring continued support for the work programmes of the marine agencies (Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the Marine Institute and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority) and Bord Bia.

This has been done by means of a process whereby the agencies submit applications to my Department for approval in principle. It is intended to progress the finalisation of implementation plans for all of these work programmes, and their adoption by the EMFAF programme Monitoring Committee, over the coming months. Work is also underway now to finalise implementation plans for schemes, including the Fisheries and Local Action Group Scheme, to support industry, and we expect that the first number of such schemes will be in place in the first quarter of 2024, with further schemes to follow.