Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
499. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to address situations where individuals have begun a fishing vessel decommissioning process, but due to delays in the process, they have not received any payments and cannot fish as a livelihood; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30764/23]
View answer500. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with individuals who are currently applicants to the fishing vessel decommissioning scheme to address deficiencies in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30765/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 499 and 500 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Brexit Voluntary Permanent Cessation Scheme was developed based on a recommendation of the Seafood Task Force. In making the recommendation, the Task Force recognised and cited conditions which were required to be included in the scheme in order to satisfy EU regulations and guidelines. The scheme, necessarily, has a robust process to ensure successful implementation and fairness for all stakeholders in each participating vessel. It is on the basis of the suitability of the scheme design that it was successful in its application for State Aid at EU level.
In recognising the length of the decommissioning process, vessels which opt to take part in the scheme can receive 50% of the scheme payment upon acceptance of the offer under the scheme, which includes the deregistration of the vessel and surrendering of the sea fishing boat licence. Scheme participants can continue to engage in fishing activity up until the point of surrendering the licence.
As part of the deregistration process the participant must also either clear any outstanding mortgages or charges on the vessel, or provide written approval from the mortgage provider to proceed with the deregistration and decommissioning. On this latter condition, BIM have engaged with financial institutions to facilitate participation in the scheme.
Upon the scrapping of the vessel and the meeting of all necessary terms and conditions of the scheme, the applicant can receive the second and final payment.
Each application is managed on a case by case basis and any applicant with concerns should engage with BIM to ensure their application is progressed. Beyond this, I am continuing to engage with industry and ensure support for the development of sustainable fisheries and the wider seafood sector.
