Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2017
213. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are any grants available through his Department for the purchase of fishing vessels by a person wishing to set up a new business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8871/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund regulation prohibits the provision of funding for the construction of new fishing vessels or the importation of fishing vessels, certain grants and supports are available to those wishing to enter the fishing industry. The most salient of these to the Deputy's question is the New Fishermen Scheme, co-funded under Ireland’s European and Maritime Fisheries Fund Operational Programme, which assists new entrants into the fishing industry in acquiring ownership of their first whitefish fishing vessel. The maximum amount of available grant aid is up to 25% of the eligible acquisition costs of the vessel directly incurred by the applicant or an amount not exceeding €75,000, whichever is the lower. There are certain qualifying criteria in terms of age and a limited amount of experience and grant aid may be qualified by the nature of the vessel ownership arrangements. Application forms for this Scheme are available from Bord Iascaigh Mhara.
