Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
274. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to ensure the viability of the fishing industry for the benefit of families dependent on the industry; the extent to which further action is required in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18725/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that my Department constantly monitors the needs of the fisheries sector. Along with regularly meeting representatives of the sector, holding formal consultations and attending public forums, we monitor developments in key economic indicators. I recently met with representatives of the inshore fishing sector to discuss the challenges being experienced presently and to hear their concerns and priorities.
I established the Seafood Task Force in 2021 to examine the impacts of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) on our fishing sector and coastal communities and to recommend mitigation measures.
On foot of the recommendations of the Task Force, I secured funding for a total of sixteen schemes for the seafood sector with a total budget allocation of €307.96 million, funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR). These schemes provided support for development and restructuring to ensure Ireland has a seafood sector that is as profitable and sustainable as it possibly can be, and to identify new opportunities for jobs and economic activity in coastal communities.
In addition to the measures recommended by the Task Force, my Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Programme, operating since 2016, has supported the sustainable development of our seafood sector.
That Programme has now concluded and is succeeded by the new Seafood Development Programme under the European Maritime Aquaculture and Fisheries Fund (EMFAF) 2021-27 which was adopted by the European Commission in December 2022.
The new €258 million EMFAF Operational Programme will continue the provision of a wide range of financial supports to fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing enterprises and to enterprises, groups and individuals in coastal communities. These will include supports for capital investment, innovation, professional advisory services and marketing.
I formally launched the EMFAF 2021-27 programme in February this year at the Skipper Expo, where I announced seven support schemes (Inshore Fisheries, Sustainable Fisheries, Knowledge Gateway, Seafood Capacity Building, Young Fisher, Seafood Processing Capital Investment and Seafood Training schemes). These schemes, which will launch once the appropriate review process is completed, will be implemented by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), under the oversight of my Department.
My Department also funds 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.ie/. BIM will receive funding in excess of €22 million from my Department in 2024 to support its work.
I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to addressing the challenges facing our seafood sector.
