FLAG South East
(Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow)
(Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow)
Local Development Strategy The FLAG South East area comprises the coastal zone of Counties Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow, with a total population of 173,405,within the 10km coastal strip, of which the largest proportion live in Wicklow (47.8%), followed by Wexford (32.2%) and Waterford (20%). In 2022, 39.8% of the coastal population of the FLAG South East region of Ireland, were coastally employed, with 962 people in direct seafood employment and 1,602 in downstream seafood employment. The area hosted 19 seafood processing companies, that employed 641 people.
The aquaculture sector is also a significant employer for the region, with 29 total production units employing 207 people. The Flag South East area has a rich maritime heritage highlighted by key tourism locations including the Copper Coast in Waterford and the Hook Peninsula in Wexford. The area has a unique natural heritage of coastline, waterways, landscape and wildlife, and a cultural heritage of local history, music and folklore.
The strategy describes the economy and community which FLAG South East seeks to build, with the ambition to further improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of coastal communities in the FLAG South East area. This is in line with the strategy vision:
| Creating and maintaining jobs in coastal areas |
| Promoting social well-being and cultural heritage in fisheries and aquaculture areas |
| Promoting the environmental assets and mitigation of climate change |
| Supporting innovation and diversification |
| Lifelong learning & attracting young people |
| Strengthening the role of fisheries, aquaculture and coastal communities in local development |
| Adding value to fisheries and aquaculture products. |
| Beneficiary | Grant aid Rate | Grant Cap | Total Project Value | ||
| Community Groups or Charities, public good projects | 80% | €40,000.00 | €50,000.00 | ||
| Community Groups or Charities, private projects | 50% | €40,000.00 | €50,000.00 | ||
| SSCF vessel owners | 80% | €80,000.00 | €100,000.00 | ||
| Fisheries Co-Operatives or Collectives | 60% | €60,000.00 | €100,000.00 | ||
| Blue Economy Enterprises | 50% | €50,000.00 | €100,000.00 | ||
| Individuals (Training) | 50% | 5,000 | 10,000 | ||
