2615. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will access the Brexit adjustment reserve fund due to the decline in the volume of beef exports to the UK as a result of a trade deal between the UK and Australia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57558/26]

The Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) was established by the European Union in 2021 to assist Member States in managing the adverse impacts of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU.

The reference period for expenditure to be eligible for BAR-funding was 2020-2023. There are no additional rounds of funding from this Reserve.

The BAR regulation provided that each Member State must submit to the Commission an application for a financial contribution from the Reserve in which the Member States, inter alia, document their expenditure stemming from measures carried out with BAR support. Against this background, the Commission will only then assess and determine eligibility of BAR funds.

Ireland made its submission for funding from the Reserve in September 2024 as required by the BAR regulation. The claim package included expenditure of €363m related to my Department.