Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
2130. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the recently announced European Commission approved Irish scheme for the aquaculture sector in the context of Brexit will open; when the terms of the scheme will be announced; the person or body that will be responsible for administering the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41088/22]
View answerI was very pleased to announce, on 25th July, the launch of the Brexit Sustainable Aquaculture Growth Scheme which will provide €20 million in funding for capital investments to accelerate the sustainable growth of our aquaculture sector over the 2022/23 period, with the support of the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
The scheme aims to mitigate the adverse economic and social consequences of Brexit on aquaculture enterprises, but importantly the scheme also seeks to assist seafood processors adversely affected by loss of raw material supply arising from the TCA quota reductions and coastal communities adversely affected by a broad range of impacts arising from the TCA quota reductions and wider Brexit impacts.
The sustainable development of our aquaculture sector offers the opportunity to assist not just the aquaculture enterprises concerned, but also to develop an alternative source of native raw material supply for seafood processors and alternative employment opportunities in the coastal communities affected by the reduction in fishing activity.
The scheme will support capital investments increasing the sustainable production of aquaculture enterprises, increasing added-value in products, improving energy efficiency and mitigating climate change and projects reducing the environmental impact of aquaculture. Grants of 30% to 50% of eligible costs will be available. Projects must be completed by 31st October 2023 to ensure eligibility for funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
An Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) will be administering the scheme.
