All Producer Organisations (POs) had access to funding under a scheme as part of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Programme 2014-2020. Part A of that scheme provided supports of up to €55,000 to groups of fisheries or aquaculture producers working to achieve recognition as a PO. Part B of the scheme supported POs that had been recognised by this Department, up to a maximum of almost €100,000, for eligible expenditures specified in the scheme.
Part B of the scheme provided funding for eligible expenditures retrospectively and on submission and approval of a POs Production and Marketing Plan (PMP) and Annual Report. These payments were based on Simplified Cost Options, which are essentially fixed grants based on the past grant history of the beneficiary, or where a PO has no track record, actual expenditure in the previous year. There was no provision in the scheme to make advance payments. That scheme closed at the end of 2023.
The establishment of two new Producer Organisations (POs) to represent the Inshore Sector was supported under the previous PO scheme. The Irish Island Maritime Resource Organisation (IIMRO) was recognised in 2021 and the National Inshore Fishermen's Association (NIFA) was recognised in 2023.
Under the EMFF PO scheme, up until the end of 2022, funding of €3,112,165.96 was claimed by Producer Organisations. Funding figures under this scheme for 2023 have not yet been finalised.
It is intended to put a new Producer Organisation Scheme in place under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programme from 2024 onwards.
My Department met with the POs in November 2023 and will be meeting them again in the coming months in relation to the development of this new scheme. My Department is also due to carry out the checks required under Article 18 of the Common Market Regulation (EU) 1379/2013, the outcome of which will also inform the development of the new PO scheme. In the meantime work is underway with Bord Iascaigh Mhara to roll forward the terms of the previous scheme pending the development of the new scheme, in order to ensure that supports are in place for these organisations in the interim. The terms of any new scheme will be aligned with the provisions of the EMFAF Regulation.
My Department will engage, as required, with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in relation to the terms of the new scheme. The need for any such engagement will depend largely on the nature of the funding terms proposed for the scheme, as generally DPENDR sanction is not required for the implementation of funding schemes under EMFAF, unless specific provisions such as pre-payments are included.
