762. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the eligibility criteria for aquaculture producers and vessel owners under the fishing and aquaculture registered vessel fuel support scheme, including the requirement for vessels to be on the Irish fleet register; if alternative criteria will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45932/26]

The Fishing and Aquaculture Registered Vessel Fuel Support Scheme is a  scheme directed at those vessels most impacted by the sudden increase in the cost of fuel. Bord Iascaigh Mhara are to operate this scheme on behalf of my Department. The scheme is designed to assist owners of fishing and aquaculture vessels to offset the increased cost of fuel experienced as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. The scheme will cover the months of March up to the end of July, which are a critical time in the fisheries calendar.

The eligibility criteria includes

Owners of fishing vessels:

• which must be registered on the Irish Register of Fishing Boats and Fishing License is in date on the closure date of the Scheme; and who must have been actively fishing from March to July in 2025

I met with Industry representatives on June 11th and in conjunction with BIM we agreed to the following:

• Extend the deadline of the current scheme to Wednesday 17th June (previously Friday 12th June).

• Work with representatives of the Aquaculture sector whose vessels are not required to be on the Irish Fishing Boat Register to provide access to the relevant funding for their receipted fuel use. A separate scheme will be developed by BIM to facilitate these applications.

• BIM will deal with specific queries in relation to eligibility of vessels following sale/purchase on a case-by-case basis.

BIM also issued a communication to applicants on 5th June to alert them that in addition to fuel purchased within Ireland, fuel purchased outside of Ireland is now eligible under the scheme. This amendment is being applied retrospectively and will benefit those vessel owners who fish in waters further from Ireland. BIM has confirmed that those who have already submitted an application will be contacted and given an opportunity to amend their application if applicable.