Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
516. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how the €271 million provided from Brexit Adjustment Reserve funding in Budgets 2022 and 2023 was spent; if there is an expectation that there will be unused monies unallocated by 31 December 2023; the estimated amount, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31313/23]
View answerI note that the Deputy mentions a figure of €271 million being provided from Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) in Budgets 2022 and 2023 to my Department.
For consistency with previous answers on BAR funding my officials consider the total BAR budget for 2022 and 2023 to be €278m, the difference being a €7m capital investment scheme for meat and dairy processing operated by Enterprise Ireland (EI) which supports investments aimed at product and market diversification.
Officials in my Department included this €7m allocation in the Department’s 2022 BAR allocation but it was not included by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in their figures. It is a minor issue but for the sake of clarity should be highlighted. It is envisaged that the 2022 expenditure on this scheme will form part of any BAR claim and the 2023 allocation for the scheme is classed as BAR funding by both Departments.
The 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 Reserve 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 for meat and dairy processing. The latter scheme will support investments aimed at product and market diversification.
The total 2022 BAR outturn was €27.831m (fisheries €22.615m, horticulture €1.141m and EI capital investment scheme €4.075m).
To date in 2023, €238m has been allocated for Brexit related purposes. This includes supports for the fisheries sector, the horticultural sector (€9.85m), an Enterprise Ireland capital investment scheme for meat and dairy processing, support to develop facilities for the disposal of meat and bone meal by-product as well as supports for the beef sector.
My Department is 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. At this point in time it is anticipated that the entire €238m will be expended by the 31 December 2023 deadline.
