Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1110. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the work being carried out in relation to concerns expressed by this Deputy in private members business on inshore fishermen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17240/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware I am conscious of the challenging environment for inshore fishers and engage regularly with their representatives in delivering support for the sector. I have introduced a number of schemes to support the inshore sector directly and other schemes to benefit the seafood sector as a whole. These schemes were based on the findings of the Seafood Task Force which I established to examine the implications of the EU/UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement (TCA) for the Fishing Industry and Coastal Communities and to consider initiatives to address those implications.
These have included the €3.7 million Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme and the €1 million Brexit Inshore Marketing Scheme, which is due to receive additional funding in the future in line with the Seafood Task Force recommendation. In addition to this, there has been considerable investment via new schemes in marine infrastructure, seafood processing and local development in coastal areas which will result in positive impacts and opportunities for those in the Inshore sector.
While I have provided short-term supports to the Inshore sector to address disruptive, external events such as Brexit, the emphasis has to be on supports to allow the Inshore sector to become more resilient and sustainable. This will be achieved through the European maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Seafood Development Programme. Small scale coastal fisheries are called out for special attention within the new programme. For the inshore sector and wider fisheries sector, the Programme will provide for continued support for capital investment on board, capital investment ashore relating to the landing obligation, innovation in fishing gear and methods, technical advice to the fleet, acquisition of first vessel by young fishers, supports to the inshore fleet, training, and marketing. The precise nature of schemes and how they are delivered will be developed during the first half of this year.
As a priority, support will be provided to facilitate the development of Producer Organisations so that the inshore sector can continue to facilitate cohesion and collective growth of the inshore sector. This will commence with training for Producer Organisations followed by an EMFAF funded scheme to support the work of these organisations.
