John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

237. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department will announce the commencement of the new fisheries local action group funding for coastal communities; when applications can be submitted; and the duration of the new scheme. [5050/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) work to support a sustainable blue economy in coastal communities, through the evaluation and selection of projects for funding under a scheme designed to support community-lead local development. Each of the FLAGs has invested considerable time and effort in developing their respective strategies, which set out the priorities for funding in their areas.

My Department is currently working to finalise the operational rules for this scheme, which is administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), whose officers work closely with the FLAGs to support their work. This scheme is being implemented under Ireland's Seafood Development Programme, which is co-funded by the government and the EU Commission under the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027.

It is expected that the scheme will be in place by early April 2025, which will then allow the FLAGs to begin their work. Once open, more information on the scheme will be available online at .