Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
1582. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will use the current capacity in the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund to assist inshore fishers in addressing high fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13687/23]
View answerI remain conscious of the challenging environment for inshore fishers. In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, fuel costs had been particularly highlighted as a challenge in my regular engagement with the sector, particularly during the summer months of 2022 when prices peaked.
As these events unfolded, I worked very closely with industry to develop short and longer term supports, based on the recommendations of the Seafood Task Force, to assist the wider seafood industry cope with the consequences of Brexit and the wider operating environment. Since the publication of the Task Force Report, €267.8m in supports and developmental strategies have been launched. These are more generous and comprehensive that those put in place elsewhere and will enable our seafood sector and coastal communities to overcome the significant challenges it faces. This has included schemes to support Inshore fishers with both short-term financial supports and schemes to help sustain the sector in the long term.
In respect of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), while the majority of funds have been committed as the programme draws to a close, funding was provided in 2022 for the EMFF Inshore Fisheries Conservation Scheme, including Inshore fishers receiving grants for participation in the v-notching initiative.
It has been a welcome signal that fuel prices fell in the last quarter of 2022 and have continued to fall in 2023, reaching similar levels to what was experienced prior to the Russian invasion. I am continuing to monitor this situation and keep these matters under review.
