Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1105. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken in response to recommendation 2.5.2.1 in the report of the seafood task force concerning inshore short-term support, including the amount of funding for this scheme sought under the de minimis provision as per Commission Regulation (EU) No 717/2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17210/23]
View answerThe Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme was developed in response to the recommendation by the Seafood Task Force for a deminimis short-term support scheme for the inshore sector to help it deal with the difficult trading conditions that have arisen because of Brexit. The scheme was designed to assist inshore fishers to adjust their business and marketing plans to the post Brexit environment. The scheme was open to all active and eligible Inshore fishers and a budget of €3.7 million was made available.
Under this scheme, BIM provided four dedicated online training modules to participants. These included “Adjusting your Seafood Business Plan post Brexit”, “Reaching new customers - tailored digital skills for inshore fishing businesses”, “Alternative Market Opportunities for your Inshore Catch” and “Understanding your Market and Maximising the Return from your Inshore Catch”.
Grant aid was provided to all participants who undertook one of these training modules, to put learnings from the modules into practice. Grant rates were €2,700 for vessels under 8 metres up to €4,000 for larger inshore vessels. Over 800 fishers took part in the scheme.
