Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:564. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16744/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 16 April 2024
Ceisteanna (564)
Freagraí scríofa
I am very aware of the challenges facing inshore fishers at the moment. I met with representatives of the sector on the 28th November 2023 and will be meeting them again in the coming weeks. Officials from my Department, along with BIM officials are also regularly in contact with representatives of the sector.
A range of supports have been put in place for the inshore fleet over recent years, in the context of the implementation of the ‘Strategy for the Inshore Fisheries Sector 2019-2023’, the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit.
In the period from 2019 to 2023 schemes funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) and under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) (2014 – 2020) were implemented for the fishing fleet, including schemes specifically for the inshore fleet.
Under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR), the Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme provided €5.1 million in funding to vessels under 18 metres in length in 2022 and 2023. Funding was also available to inshore fishers to support economic diversification under the Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme, which funded a wide range of projects in coastal areas to a total value of €13.4 million. In addition, under the Brexit Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme significant investment was provided to local authorities to upgrade local authority maintained piers and harbours, which is infrastructure relied on by many in the inshore fleet. To date approximately €38 million has been spent on 149 projects approved under this scheme. BAR funding of €1 million was also made available to Bord Bia for Inshore Marketing Schemes to promote sales of stocks of particular interest to the inshore fleet.
Under the EMFF (2014-2020), funding of €3.1 million was paid by BIM to inshore vessels under both the Inshore Fisheries Conservation Scheme (supporting conservation measures for inshore stocks), and the Lobster V-notching Scheme (which was put in place to improve the sustainability of Ireland’s lobster fishery)
My Department is now working with BIM to develop and implement funding supports for inshore fishers under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programme (2021 – 2027). The EMFAF is the primary source of financial supports for the seafood sector, with a budget allocation of €258 million over the programme period. The funding schemes we implement under EMFAF must align with the objectives of the EMFAF Regulation, which in turn are aligned with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The CFP does not make provision for income supports to fishers, as such there is no provision in the EMFAF Regulation for any such supports to be funded under the EMFAF programme. Currently there is no mechanism under the EMFAF to allow the payment of aid in respect of financial hardship caused by weather conditions, energy costs or market failures.
My Department and BIM will be engaging with the inshore sector to progress the development of a new Strategy for Inshore Fisheries in the coming months, which will include consideration of the challenges facing the fleet and measures to mitigate these challenges.
Fishers who are experiencing financial hardship may access income supports provided by the Department of Social Protection by contacting their local Intreo Centre. I have written to my colleague Minister Heather Humphreys, Minister for Social Protection, to make her aware of the concerns being raised by the inshore fishers.