Department starts issuing fishing and aquaculture fuel support payments
The fishing and aquaculture vessel fuel scheme has begun issuing its first round of payments amounting to €1.5m. The total payable amount for the scheme is predicted to be €9.7m. File picture: Dan Linehan
As of July 31, successful applicants under the Fishing and Aquaculture Registered Vessel Fuel Support Scheme will begin receiving payments.
This is the first tranche of payments to vessel owners, and further payments will continue throughout August. It is expected that the total final payments under this scheme will be approximately €9.7m.
However, this remains subject to change pending completion of the final checks before issuing payment.
Making the announcement alongside minister of state with responsibility for fisheries, Timmy Dooley, minister for agriculture Martin Heydon said: “The scheme was introduced 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 and designed to support applicants for the five-month period of March to July 2026, which is a vital period for fishing.”
Minister Dooley added: “I am delighted that the first tranche of payments valued at €1.5 million has now commenced issuing to over 100 vessel owners, and they will receive the money into their bank accounts in the coming days.”
The scheme, which is being overseen and organised on behalf of the department by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), has asked any applicants who have not yet responded to requests or letters of offer to do so soon to allow their claims to be processed.
The Aquaculture Business Vessel Fuel Support Scheme, for those not required to be on the Irish Sea Fishing Boat Register, was launched on June 24 and closed for applications on July 8.
As this scheme is being implemented under the Temporary Crisis Framework set up by the EU Commission and all applicable State Aid Rules, payments will be made to applicants only once the department has received State Aid approval.
Applicants wishing to contact BIM regarding the Fuel Support Schemes can email the grants helpdesk at grantshelpdesk@bim.ie.
