Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
939. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding allocated to his Department from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve in 2022 and 2023; the areas to which his Department has allocated this funding, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27305/23]
View answerThe Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) provides financial support to the most affected Member States to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial and, where appropriate, environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
Expenditure under the BAR must demonstrate a direct link to the negative impact of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, and failure to do so will see the European Commission deem expenditure ineligible.
In 2022, €40m was allocated for Brexit-related purposes for the fisheries sector (€33.2m), the horticultural sector (€1.5m), and €5.3m was provided to fund an Enterprise Ireland capital investment scheme. The latter scheme will support investments aimed at product and market diversification.
In 2023, €238m is allocated for Brexit-related purposes, including further supports for the fisheries sector (€162.15m), the horticultural sector (€9.85m). €17 million is provided to fund an Enterprise Ireland capital investment scheme.
In addition, €20m has been allocated to develop facilities for the disposal of meat and bone meal by-product and €28m has been allocated for a scheme to support suckler and beef farmers. The most recent development has been under the BAR was the launch of a €23m beef genotyping scheme which is a world first.
We are actively considering other proposals and in this regard is working closely with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to maximise the funding from BAR that is available to the various sectors that come under the remit of my Department.
