Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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311. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will make a decision on the re-opening of the mussel seed fishery in the Long Bank for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64332/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to fully assure the Deputy that I understand the importance of the Irish Sea mussel seed fishery and of wild mussel seed as a raw material for the bottom grown mussel aquaculture sector. These primary producers, in turn, supply the downstream indigenous seafood processing and export industries and help to sustain the livelihoods of coastal communities. The importance of these primary and secondary seafood production activities is reflected in the Food Vision 2030 strategy.

The detection of the invasive alien species Crepidula fornicata (slipper limpet) and Sargassum Muticum (Japanese wireweed) at the Long Bank seedbed off Wexford earlier this year has proven to be exceptionally challenging. There are stringent controls in force on such species in accordance with the European Union (Invasive Alien Species) Regulations 2024 (Statutory Instrument No. 374 of 2024), under the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This has mandated a cross-Departmental, cross-agency response to the matter which remains ongoing.

On 12th November, I opened the Rusk Channel mussel seedbed as no invasive alien species were found in this seedbed. The Seed Mussel Biomass Survey of the Rusk Channel, carried out by BIM, identified that this seed bed has the potential to yield approximately 1,600 tonnes of seed for the bottom grown mussel aquaculture sector.

My Department is continuing to seek advice on the implications of S.I. 374 of 2024 on the mussel seed fishery beyond the Rusk Channel. Every effort is being made by my Department, and the relevant agencies, to expedite this process and to address outstanding matters.

Any updates will be communicated promptly to industry via the Bottom Grown Mussel Consultative Forum (BGMCF).

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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312. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications awaiting appropriate assessments at the Marine Institute; if there is a prioritisation system to deal with these applications in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64333/25]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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313. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of aquaculture licence applications awaiting determination by his Department; the efforts being made to address delays in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64334/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 313 together.

My Department considers applications for aquaculture in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 as amended, the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended) and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation. Decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all consultations and public interest elements of each application, including environmental considerations.

Since 2012, determinations have been made in respect of over 1300 licence applications. There are a number of long-standing applications where significant issues have arisen and the Department continues to work closely with the relevant applicants and our scientific and technical advisers with a view to finding solutions and progressing these applications. However, the majority of currently pending applications have been submitted since 2021.

Every effort is being made by my Department to expedite the determination of all outstanding applications having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to fully comply with all relevant national and EU legislation. The Marine Institute (MI), as my Department’s scientific adviser, is requested to undertake appropriate assessments in relation to aquaculture licence applications.

As of the 14th of November 2025, there were 569 aquaculture licence applications on hand in my Department. Of these, 353 licence applications are currently undergoing appropriate assessment by the MI, including AA Screenings, preparation of Natura Impact Statements in the case of shellfish applications and Stage 2 full Appropriate assessments.

Progressing applications for renewals of marine finfish aquaculture licence applications is a priority for my Department in the context of the Ministerial policy decision to phase out the operation of Section 19A(4) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997. In addition, given the notable increase in the number of new and renewal shellfish applications in recent years, significant work is ongoing within my Department and the MI to progress these.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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314. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if grant eligibility for the sustainable aquaculture scheme will be revised given the unreasonable delays in the aquaculture licensing system which is impacting aquaculture producers awaiting licensing renewals and wish to make improvements in their business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64335/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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My Department supports the development of the Irish aquaculture sector under Ireland's €258 Million Seafood Development Programme, which is co-funded by the Irish government and the EU Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). The Sustainable Aquaculture scheme is administered by BIM on behalf of my Department.

To be eligible for aid under this scheme the applicant must have a statutory consent to engage in aquaculture, and must also have a consent under the Foreshore Acts. The terms of this scheme provide that operators who are operating in a Natura 2000 site and are awaiting a determination of an aquaculture licence application/renewal made under Section 10 of the Fisheries Amendment Act 1997 are not eligible for aid under this scheme.

My Department, as the managing authority for the Seafood Development Programme 2021-2027, is obligated to implement the EMFAF Regulation and in particular, Article 12(1)(c), which stipulates that Member States may only select operations that are in compliance with applicable Union law – in this case the relevant Union law being the Birds and/or Habitats Directives. Therefore only operators who hold a licence that is in compliance with these Directives may receive funding.

It is possible for aquaculture business to operate lawfully in this State while awaiting licence renewal determinations that have been fully assessed to be in compliance with the Birds and Habitats Directives. This is currently made possible by section 19A(4) of the 1997 Act. Consequently, aquaculture businesses operating lawfully but not pursuant to up to date licenses that are in compliance with the Birds and Habitats Directives are necessarily excluded from receiving funding under the scheme.

My Department has been working very closely with BIM to identify what funding supports can be put in place for the aquaculture sector, within the parameters of the EU State Aid Regulations governing aid in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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315. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish a funding mechanism to assist aquaculture producers when difficulties arise that is, storm damage, stock losses and biological challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64336/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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My Department supports the development of the Irish aquaculture sector under Ireland's €258 Seafood Development Programme, which is co-funded by the Irish government and the EU Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).

I am aware of the challenges facing aquaculture producers where damage or stock mortality arises due to environmental, climate or biological events. Where possible aquaculture operators should ensure they have adequate insurance cover in place for these types of events, as would be the norm for any business.

I am equally aware however of difficulties being experienced by industry in obtaining insurance cover for certain types of risks, and I have asked Department officials to identify what supports could be developed in respect of uninsurable risks, whether under our Seafood Development Programme or any other alternative mechanism. Work is underway in relation to this.

It is important to note that having robust baseline data available on stocking levels and normal levels of mortality will be required in respect of any scheme that may be possible to develop to compensate aquaculture operators for losses arising from stock mortality due to external events. At present aquaculture operators are not required to report all stock mortality, only those related to notifiable diseases or where the cause cannot be determined.

In the event that a possible funding mechanism can be identified, it is important to note that the Department and relevant agencies will need engagement and support from industry in relation to ensuring the necessary baseline data is available for all aquaculture sectors.