Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1821. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the share of EMFAF funding that has been allocated to community-led local development projects in coastal areas. [47171/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAG) Coastal Communities Development Scheme 2025-2029 will provide funding of up to €15 million over the lifetime of the programme to support economic development in our coastal communities. The scheme is implemented under Ireland's Seafood Development Programme, which is jointly funded by the Irish government and the EU under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).

The seven Fisheries Local Actions 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 seven FLAGs has invested considerable time and effort in developing their respective strategies, which set out the priorities for funding in their areas. 

The seven FLAGs areas are: Northeast (Louth, Meath, Dublin), Southeast (Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford), South (Cork), Southwest (Kerry), West (Galway, Clare), Northwest (Mayo, Sligo), North (Donegal).

Each FLAG Board assesses the applications for funding in their area and selects the projects for funding, subject to the project meeting their relevant eligibility requirements.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) provides administrative support to the FLAG Boards.

Details in relation to the FLAGs are available at: www.bim.ie