I can assure the Deputy that my Department constantly monitors the needs of the fisheries sector and I regularly meet with the recognised industry representative groups, comprising the Producer Organisations, National Inshore Fisheries Forum, Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association and IFA Aquaculture.
Engagement between my Department and these groups is ongoing, whether bilaterally or through established structures that provide for collective engagement such as the Seafood Task Force and the Monitoring Committee for the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
In January 2021, in light of Brexit, the Seafood Task Force was established to examine the implications of the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) for the fishing industry and coastal communities. The membership of the Task Force included recognised industry representative groups, state agencies, local development groups and the City & County Managers Association. The full membership details are available online [gov.ie - Minister McConalogue welcomes Report of Seafood Sector Task Force (www.gov.ie) ].
On foot of the report of the Task Force, which comprehensively considered the needs of the sector, 14 schemes were put in place to provide funding directly to industry. Two further schemes to provide other necessary supports were also put in place - one implemented by Bord Bia to promote Inshore fisheries products and the other, the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme, which funded investment in the piers and harbours maintained by local authorities. These were all funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR).
Separately to this, the full range of recognised industry representative groups, along with relevant marine agencies, are members of the Monitoring Committee for the EMFAF, and were also members of the Monitoring Committee for the previous fund (the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). EMFAF is the programme which provides funding supports to the seafood sector, and the Monitoring Committee has oversight of the programme that has been developed for implementation under EMFAF. It also has oversight of the development of the Implementation Plans which provide for the range and scope of schemes that are to be put in place under EMFAF. The Monitoring Committee provides a formal structure to facilitate engagement with industry around the design of the schemes to support the sector. The EMFAF Monitoring Committee met in November 2023, and engagement with the members of the Monitoring Committee continues between meetings as needed.
This is in addition to the regular engagement between myself and my Department and all of the recognised industry representative groups on an ongoing basis. For the inshore fleet, the National Inshore Fishers Forum also provides a formal structure for the challenges facing that fleet to be discussed with the Department and the marine agencies.
In addition, the Department funds Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), which is the state agency responsible for development of the Seafood sector. BIM works closely with industry and all of the recognised representative groups, actively supporting the development of the sector in a myriad of ways. Further information on the work of BIM is available on BIM's website at BIM - Supporting the Irish Seafood Industry. BIM will receive funding in excess of €22 million from my Department in 2024 to support its work. Again there is regular ongoing engagement between my Department and BIM in relation to the needs of the sector.
