I propose to take Questions Nos. 735 to 737, inclusive, together.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has confirmed its intention to operate a programme of fisheries development including instream projects in 2020, subject to justified need and available resources. It is IFI’s policy to engage in pre-fishery enhancement surveys to enable it to support its interventions and monitor effectiveness thereafter.
I am advised that IFI launched its 2019 funding call in April 2019. In the first instance, applicants were invited to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) across three funding schemes – the NSAD Capital Grants Scheme 2019, the Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund and the Midlands Fisheries Fund. The final closing date for submission of funding applications was 1 July, however, the EOI process remains open.
Following review of submissions, IFI have advised that 28 of the 32 EOI’s are categorised as aligning to the Salmon and Sea Trout scheme. Of these 11 are third party applications and 17 are IFI submissions.
All applications will now proceed through the evaluation process and those successful will be announced following approval by the Board of IFI.
In response to a number of questions on these matters by the Deputy, and given her interest in fisheries development, I have offered her a briefing from IFI.