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Brexit Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 February 2022

Thursday, 17 February 2022

Questions (198)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

198. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when a scheme or schemes will become operational to allow for access to the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to help counter the adverse economic and social consequences of Brexit in the European Union member states, specifically in relation to the fish processing sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8895/22]

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Written answers

The Brexit Adjustment Reserve aims to provide financial support to the most affected Member States, regions and sectors to deal with the adverse consequence of Brexit.  Expenditure under the Reserve must demonstrate a direct link to the negative impact of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.

Ireland will be the largest beneficiary of the Reserve with an allocation of over €1 billion, equivalent to just over 20% of the entire Reserve.   

The BAR Regulation provides that a minimum amount must be ring-fenced for fisheries.  In Ireland’s case that amounts to €56 million, although that amount may be exceeded at the discretion of the Government and I expect it will.

The allocation of resources from the Reserve is being aligned with the annual Estimates process which has been the vehicle for allocating Brexit resources since the UK referendum on EU membership in 2016.  Budget 2022 announced that around €500 million of the overall BAR allocation will be made available as a first tranche of funding, with the remainder available in 2023.  Indicative areas for BAR funding that were identified include:  enterprise supports; measures to support fisheries and coastal communities; targeted supports for the agri-food sector; reskilling and retraining; and checks and controls at ports and airports.

As the Deputy may be aware, my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine established a Seafood Sector Task Force last year which reported to the Minister in October.  It recommendations are being examined urgently by his Department and the Minister and I will be working closely together to ensure that appropriate supports are available to the sector to deal with the impacts of Brexit.

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