Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
970. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of approved FLAG applications for 2020; when such applications will receive offers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6011/21]
View answer971. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the FLAG programme will open to new applications in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6012/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 970 and 971 together.
My Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme is the vehicle for financial supports to the seafood sector for the period 2014 to 2020. The Programme delivers a wide range of supports for fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood processing, and to coastal communities, through a suite of 18 schemes. The Programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
My Department's EMFF Programme includes a community-led local development approach to the socio-economic development and economic diversification of coastal communities through seven Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs). The Scheme aims to promote innovative approaches in coastal communities to create growth and jobs in those areas, in particular by adding value to fishery and aquaculture products and diversifying the local economy towards new economic activities, in particular those offered by blue growth and the broader maritime sectors.
Each of the seven FLAGs covers a portion of our coastline and each has developed its own Local Development Strategy. The FLAG scheme has a total budget of €12 million, with each FLAG allotted a portion of this and the Board of each FLAG determines which projects are to be selected for EMFF funding from its allocated budget.
In 2020, 189 projects were approved for grants totalling €3.3 million, which will incentivise total investment in our coastal communities of €5.5 million.
With respect to 2021, I am examining with BIM and the FLAG boards what budget remains for each FLAG from its total allocation, with a view to finalising what if any funding is available for new grant offers in 2021.
