Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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166. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if we will engage with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss the way in which a financial support scheme will be designed to ensure that the heritage and tradition of inshore fishing can be maintained in coastal communities. [66247/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I acknowledge that inshore representatives have sought that my Department implement income supports for inshore fishers. This is not possible from a state aid perspective, nor is it possible to implement under the terms of the Regulation governing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). However a range of funding supports are in place for the inshore sector, and in the past year my Department has enhanced the supports available for Ireland's small-scale inshore fishing fleet, with grant aid rates for on-board and on-shore investment of up to 80%, and up to 100% for conservation measures.

It is important to recognise that maintaining the tradition of inshore fishing requires a range of other measures, aside from funding supports. Such measures are funded by my Department, both under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and through direct exchequer funding. They include the scientific research, conservation projects, data collection, training and skills development, and advisory services undertaken by both the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).

In addition to the range of technical advice and guidance supports available from BIM, BIM also has a network of dedicated Regional Development Officers (RDOs) specifically to support inshore fishers.

A key concern in supporting the economic sustainability of the fleet is to support inshore fishers in getting the best price for their catch. It is widely recognised that inshore fishers are often 'price takers', and that the development of short supply chains is essential if fishers are to achieve the best value for their catch. Supports are in place specifically to guide and assist inshore fishers in this regard where a suite of training is provided by BIM.

I have met the fish Producer Organisations for the inshore sector, being the National Inshore Fishermen's Association (NIFA) and the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO), on a number of occasions, and will continue to engage with them, as I do with all fish Producer Organisations.

In that context, I must recognise the important role that fish Producer Organisations play in securing the future of inshore fishing which. extends beyond advocating for state supports.

It is important to note that work on a new Fisheries Strategy is commencing shortly. The development of that Strategy will provide an opportunity for both my Department and I to engage with industry stakeholders, and to consider the breadth of challenges facing the fleet and how these will be best addressed in coming years.

As such there are already a range of diverse supports in place that are designed to support the economic viability of inshore fishers, including funding supports, and that financial support schemes alone will not be the solution to the long-term economic viability of the sector. Pending the development of the new Fisheries Strategy, BIM will continue to provide advice, training and guidance to inshore fishers, and will continue to administer the funding schemes in place for this sector. All information in relation to services and supports for inshore fishers are available from the BIM website www.bim.ie