From:Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD and Minister of State with special responsibility for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley TD have announced an extension to the closing date for the Fishing and Aquaculture Registered Vessel Fuel Support Scheme to 5pm Wednesday, 17 June.

"We have seen a strong response to the Fishing and Aquaculture Registered Vessel Fuel Support Scheme among vessel owners with a large number of applications received over the past two days. Following consultation with the fishing representative groups on Thursday Minister of State Dooley and I have agreed to extend the deadline to ensure no one is left behind and that as many vessel owners as possible have the opportunity to apply."

“Following a positive meeting with stakeholders on 11 June, it is recognised that it is really important to get as many eligible vessel owners as possible engaged and included on the scheme. BIM are providing a lot of different types of support to applicants and the extension in time will allow for a full and comprehensive applications to be made for all vessel owners. I discussed the need for applications to be made and completed as soon as possible and outlined that each extension would impact on the timeline for payments. In addition, I confirmed that arrangements are being made to introduce a specific application methodology for Aquaculture Business support vessels, who are not required to be on the Irish Sea Fishing Boat Register and details will be shared when operational on the BIM Grants Portal. In the meantime, we strongly encourage any applicants experiencing difficulties to contact BIM directly to receive support.”

Concluding, Minister Heydon said:

“This support scheme is targeted directly at those most exposed to the cost of fuel in operating their business. I urge all potential applicants to engage with BIM and to use the supports available to them. I have ensured that support is directed to those impacted by the price increase and who are actively engaged in fishing, and I now urge anyone who wants to avail of this support to do so before Wednesday next, 17 June.”

For full details of the scheme please see theBIM website.