Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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855. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will support the expansion of oyster farms as a means of improving water quality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3594/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department supports the development of the Irish aquaculture sector under Ireland's Seafood Development Programme, which is co-funded by the Irish government and the EU Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). In 2024 a scheme providing grant-aid to aquaculture operators for capital investment measures was opened, which builds on the capital investment supports for aquaculture producers funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. Work is also underway in my Department to progress implementation of the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development 2030, which provides a framework to support the development and growth of this important sector.