Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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238. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to ensure the viability of the fishing industry for the benefit of families dependent on the industry; the extent to which further action is required in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38474/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I can assure the Deputy that my Department constantly monitors the needs of the fisheries sector. In addition to meeting representatives of the sector, holding formal consultations and attending public forums, we monitor developments in key economic indicators.

I established the Seafood Task Force in 2021 to examine the impacts of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) on our fishing sector and coastal communities and to recommend mitigation measures.

On foot of the recommendations of the Task Force, I secured funding for a total of sixteen schemes for the seafood sector with a total budget allocation in excess of €300 million, funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR). These schemes provided support for development and restructuring to ensure Ireland has a seafood sector that is as profitable and sustainable as it possibly can be, and to identify new opportunities for jobs and economic activity in coastal communities.

In addition to the measures recommended by the Task Force, my Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Programme provided funding to the sector from 2016 to the end of 2023, supporting the sustainable development of our seafood sector.

That Programme has now concluded and has been succeeded by the new Seafood Development Programme under the European Maritime Aquaculture and Fisheries Fund (EMFAF) 2021-27 which was adopted by the European Commission in December 2022.

The new €258 million EMFAF Operational Programme will continue the provision of a wide range of financial supports to fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing enterprises and to enterprises, groups and individuals in coastal communities. These will include supports for capital investment, innovation, professional advisory services and marketing.

I formally launched the EMFAF 2021-27 programme in February this year at the Skipper Expo.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Marine Institute and Bord Bia have been implementing work programmes funded under EMFAF, which provide a wide range of supports necessary for the ongoing development of the sector, such as data collection, research and the promotion and marketing of Irish seafood.

In June and July I announced the opening of schemes for industry, funded under the Irish EMFAF Programme:

• The Inshore Fisheries Scheme: This scheme provides targeted supports for the small-scale coastal fishing vessels, which are registered fishing vessels under 12 metres in length who do not use towed gear. Enhanced grant intensity rates of between 80% and 100% will be provided to these vessels to support both on-board and on-shore investment, and for participation in conservation measures. Other registered inshore fishing vessels will continue to have the opportunity to participate in conservation measures under this scheme also.
• A related lobster V-notching Scheme has also been opened, which will continue the good work done under previous V-notching schemes to improve the sustainability of this fishery, which is of significant importance to the inshore fishing fleet in particular.
• The Sustainable Fisheries Scheme provides support to all registered fishing vessels (other than the small scale coastal fishing vessels) for on-board investment. Both the Inshore Fisheries Scheme and the Sustainable Fisheries Scheme support investment by fishing vessels in more selective gear that reduces catches of juvenile and/or over quota species, with the ultimate aim of improving the sustainability of fisheries.
• The Seafood Processing Capital Investment Scheme provides important support for capital investment in the seafood processing sector. It will continue and build on the supports provided to the sector over the course of 2022 and 2023 under the Brexit Processing Capital Support Scheme, funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR), where industry received over €30 million in funding for capital investment in this sector
• The Aquaculture Capital Investment Scheme provides support to aquaculture operators for capital investment to promote environmentally sustainable aquaculture activities and strengthen the competitiveness of aquaculture production
• The Seafood Training Scheme supports the development of skills and knowledge across the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Seafood Processing sectors
• The Young Fishers Scheme provides support to persons under 40, who have 5 years+ experience and/or relevant training, to assist them in purchasing their first vessel. Grant aid up to 40% of the cost of the vessel can be accessed under this scheme, subject to a maximum payment of €250,000. There are some restrictions regarding the age and length of vessels which may be purchased under this scheme.