Gerry Adams
Question:28. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports available to persons to develop new land based recirculating aquaculture systems facilities. [8583/16]
View answerWednesday, 27 April 2016
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On 14 January 2016, I launched Ireland’s new €240 million EMFF Seafood Development Operational Programme, together with a number of new schemes under that Programme. I launched two schemes for the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector, with a combined budget of almost €30 million.
The 'Knowledge Gateway Scheme' aims to develop knowledge, innovation and technology in the aquaculture sector to ensure its sustainable development. An important part of the focus of the Scheme will be applied research and development into recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) identified as an important policy objective in my Department’s National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development. The Scheme provides support to private projects of 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of €200,000. The Scheme is presently open for applications.
The ‘Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme’ aims to promote the sustainable growth of output, value and employment in the aquaculture sector. This will be done through supports for sustainably increasing the productive output of aquaculture enterprises, supporting new aquaculture enterprises entering the sector, scaling up of aquaculture enterprises to improve their competitiveness and efficiency, diversification into new species, more farming of underutilised species and promotion of organic aquaculture. Particular attention will also be given to the diversification of aquaculture towards methods with significant commercial output. The Scheme provides support to private projects of 40% of eligible costs, up to maximum of €500,000 per project per year. RAS is specifically identified as eligible for support under the Scheme. The Scheme is presently open for applications.