Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Fishing Fleet Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2020

Wednesday, 20 May 2020

Ceisteanna (910)

Johnny Mythen

Ceist:

910. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will include in the voluntary fleet support scheme boats licensed for the fishing sector namely mussels (details supplied). [6820/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I announced on 8 May a Covid-19 Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme for fishing vessels in the Polyvalent, Beam Trawl and Specific segments of the fleet, to be implemented under Ireland’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme 2014-20, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. The purpose of the scheme is to address the supply of  fish to market so as to better balance the supply of fish from these vessels to the available market demand for these fish. 

The Scheme will be operational from 1 June and will allow vessel owners of fishing vessels to voluntarily opt to tie up for a maximum of two months over the period June to August.  The Scheme will support the fixed costs incurred by the vessel owners and is designed to complement the Covid-19 wage supports and loan arrangements already being provided by Government to the fishing sector and indeed other sectors of our economy.  The supports to fixed costs available under the Scheme range from €6,000 per month for a maximum of two months for the very largest vessels over 24 metres, to €500 per month for a maximum of two months for the very smallest vessels under 6 metres in length.  More details available at the following link

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/press/pressreleases/2020/may/title,142520,en.html

The Scheme is implemented under article 33 of the EMFF Regulation (508/2014) which allows aid to fishing vessels only for temporary cessation of fishing activities.  Vessels in the aquaculture segment of the fleet are not included in the scope of the Regulation and, accordingly, their inclusion in the Tie-up Scheme is precluded.

Barr
Roinn