Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
880. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an extension to the already introduced tie-up scheme for fishing vessels will be considered as a supporting measure for vessels that are experiencing hardship at present due to the continually rising fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16287/22]
View answerI launched a Brexit Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme in September 2021 on foot of the recommendation for such a scheme in the Report of the Seafood Sector Task Force - Navigating Change (October 2021). The Scheme was established as a transitional measure for certain segments of the fishing fleet to mitigate the loss of income in 2021 arising from the significant quota reductions under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, pending more permanent restructuring arrangements. The scheme had very strong take up, with a total of 177 vessels being aided to tie-up at a total cost of €10 million.
The Task Force report also recommended the extension of the scheme into 2022, in recognition of the fact that there will be larger reductions in quotas in 2022 arising from the TCA and that the anticipated benefits of the recommended fleet decommissioning scheme will not be realised until the fourth quarter of 2022. The report noted that this will require a new State Aid Notification.
Work on examining this stakeholder recommendation is very well advanced and I anticipate making an announcement in the coming weeks.
